LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
A352.0773
H62l
m74
cop. 4
lUINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY
ARCHIVES OF ILLINOIS
nnps mwmy survey
?'V'"r?"rJ''V pr If .r«.-.<(>
MQNTICELLO No.74|
rx.i
fo. n/i
lITORICAL RECORDS SURVEY
CHICAGO. ILLINOIS
'7
NVENTOKY OF THE COUNTY ARCHIVES
OF ILLINOIS
PIATT COUNTY [MONT ICt LLO]
NO. 74
Prepared "by
The Illinois Historical Records Survey Project
Division of Professional and Service Projects
Work Projects Administration
* * <*i * *
Chicago, Illinois
August, I9U0
The Historical Records Survey Projects
Sargent 3, Child, Director
Royal S. Van de T7oestyne, State Supervisor
Division of Professional and Service Projects
Florence Kerr, Assistant Commissioner
Alma S Kerr, Chief Regional Supervisor
Mary Gillette Moon, State Director
WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION
F, C. Harrington, Commissioner
George Field, Regional Director
Charles E. Miner, State Administrator
^<^P'7 FOREV'ORD
The Inventory of the Cou nty Archives of Illinois is one of a number
of bibliographies of historical material prepared throughout the United
States by workers on The Historical Records Survey Projects of the Tfork
Projects Administration. The publication herewith presented, an inven-
tory of the archives of Piatt County, is number 74 of the Illinois series.
The Historical Records Survey \vas undertaken in the v/inter of 1935-
3G for the purpose of providing useful em.ploj.-ment to needy unemployed
historians, lav-^yers, teachers, and research and clerical workers. In
carrying out tnis objective, the project v/as organized to compile inven-
tories of historical materials, pai'ticularly the unpublished government
documents and records which are basic in the administration of local
governmr.nt, and which provide invaluable data for students of political,
economdc, and social history. The archival guide herevvith presented is
intended to meet the requirement of d^.y-to-day administration by the'
officials of the county, and aloo the needs of lawyers, business men, and
other citizens who require facts from, the public records for the proper
conduct of their affairs. The volume is so designed that it can be used
by the historian in his research in unprinted sources in the same way ho
uses the library card catalog for printed sources.
The inventories produced by The Historical Records Survey Projects
attempt to do more than give merely a list of records - they attem.pt fur-
ther to sketch in the historical background of the county or other unit
of government, and to describe precisely and in detail the organization
and functions of the govorn;.ient agencies v/nose records thoy list. The
county, tovm and other local inventories for the entire country lall,
when completed, constitute- an enc--'clopedia of local government as v/ell
as a bibliography of local archives,
TnQ successful conclusion of the vrork of The Historical Records
Survey Projects oven in a single county, vrould not be possible v/ithout
the support of public officials, ?iistorical and legal specialists, and
many other groups in the coiTimunity, Their cooperation is gratefully
acknov/1 edged «.
The Survey was organized by Luther H. Evans and directed by him until
his resignation in December, 1S39, shortly after which he was succeeded
by the present director, Sargent B. Child; it operates as a nation-wide
scries of locally sponsored projecbs in the Division of Professional and
Service Projects, of v/hich Florence Kerr, Assistant Commissioner, is in
charge ,
F. C, Harrington
Commissioner
111 -
PREFACE
The undertaking now officially designated The Historical Records
Survey Projects, was initiated nationally in January, 1G36, as part
of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration,
now the Work Projects Administration. In Illinois the Survey became an
independent unit in August, 1956, but continued to operate as part of
the nation-vd.de project under the technical supervision of Dr» Luther
H« Evans, Rational Director, and under the administrative supervision
of the Division of Professional and Service Projects. Dr. Evans resigned
in December, 1939, and shortly thereafter vra.s succeeded by the present
director, Sargent B, Child. Alston G. Field and Hovreird E, Colgan were
the first ti-ro state directors, the former serving until November 1, 1937,
and the lattor to May 16, 193G. On September 1, 1939, the Illinois State
Library, of v;hich Secretary of State Edv.'srd J. Huf:hes is State Librarian
and Helene H« Rogers, Superintendent of State Librarj' Division, became
the sponsor of The Illinois Historical Records Survey Project. On January
15, 1940, this sponsorship was assumed by the University of Illinois.
In compiling this inventory of the archives of Piatt County, the Survey
has sought to locate, describe and classify all extent county records and
to make them more easily accessible to county officials, the general public,
and research workers. It is believed that this inventory v/ill be useful
in the preservation of this valuable material, and as a guide to the
archives wherein may be foimd so much important information in the field of
history, sociology, political science, and economics. '.'^Jhile some historians
have realized this for ma?iy years, the general public has never been made
aware of the intrinsic worth of this material. In the official documents of
Piatt County are found the n^iterials of another chapter in the story of the
coming into the Illiiiois v/ilderness of settlers who created a territory and
the rudiments of a simple frontier government, bought and sold land, built
roads, established schools, and later founded a state.
The Illinois Historical Records Survey Project has proved to be of
considerable assistance to local and county governments. Records have
been rearranged and rado more accessible, material believed to be lost
has been located, indexing projects have been fostered, and county offi-
cials have been encouraged and induced to provide new equipment for their
offices and better storage space for the records.
In addition, the program of the project has been planned to dovetail
T/ith the lorig-range plans of the State of Illinois for the care of state
and local archives. For example, the first step, the removal of all state
records to a new Archives Building, has boon materially aided bjr the prepa-
ration of preliminary inventories by survey workers for the various state
departments. Furthermore, the program of the state for the preservation
of county records, including the r.iaking of micrcphotographic copies of all
important historical documents, obviously presupposes inventories such as
The Illinois Historical Records Survey Project is now making.
- V -
The inventories being compiled by The Historical Records Survey
Projects also make possible for the first tine a scientific study of the
question of record destruction. Under Illinois law no records may be de-
stroyed without specific enabling legislation. This provision, together
with the tremendous incroaso in the quantity of records in recent years,
has made it impossible for either the state or the counties to take care
of the documents adequately. Hence, a certain amount of record destruc-
tion has been inevitable. If, as seems probable, a study of these inven-
tories should lead to the eiiflctnent of adequate and sensible legislation
governing the disposition of public records, these compilations may prove
to be the most important contribution of the survey.
Preliminary work on the survey in Piatt County, the seventy-fourth
on the alphabetically arranged list of one hundred and two counties in
Illinois, -was begun May 18, 1936, and completed as far as possible
August 11, Field forms were received in Chicago, December 7, 1936, and
a draft inventory sent to Washington, D.C., July 14, 1937. This vi&s
returned October 13, and on April 1 and April 6, 1938, all forms had a
complete recheck, completed in July, 1938, Abstracting and transcribing
of covinty board records, upon wliich much of the contents of this inventory
is based, v»as begun November 13, 1938, and finished July 17, 1940, The
inventory v;as taken under the supervision cf Kenneth C, Blood, by Cal
Atkinson, Eugene Doty, Francis H, Doty, Byford E, Flore, Dwayne Gerald
Nelson, Byron McCall, Samuel Robert McClure, and Carl E, Raglan.
The inventory vas prepared for publication by the state editorial
staff of The Illinois Historical Records Survey Project at Chicago, under
the supervision of Herbert R, Rifkind. Preparation of Part B of the
inventory was under the direction of Martine O'Connor; Gifford Ernest
supervised the preparation of the historical sketch; and Edv;ard J,
LIcDonough supervised format and collation. In addition, too much credit
cannot be given to the other members of the editorial, research, and
typing staffs for their intelligent and diligent cooperation in the
compilation of this inventory.
All of the officers of Piatt County cooperated in every way with the
workers, and grateful acknowledgement of their aid is hereby made, I also
Ydsh to express appreciation for the assistance rendered by the officials
of the Illinois Work Projects Administration and the Illinois Writers'
Project. For the cover design we are indebted to the Illinois Art Project.
The various units of the Inventory of the County Archives of Illinois
will be available for distribution to the goverranental offices, libraries,
schools, and historical societies in Illinois, and libraries and govern-
mental e.renoios in other states. Requests for information concerning par-
ticular units of the Inventory should be addressed to the State Supervisor.
(>w^ ^. CLo df w^l^^
Royal S. Van de Woestyno /
State Supervisor
The Illinois Historical Records
August 30, 1940 ovrve'- Trojeot
- VI -
TABIJ; OF CONTENTS
A, Piatt County r.nd Its Records Sj^stcm
Page
1. Historical Sketch .3
Introduction: genesis and antecedents; area and physi-
ography; drainaf;e, soils, and climate; flora and fauna;
natural resources; early civilization; French and British
occupation; sovereignty achieved; early settlors; contem-
porary national and state life. Piatt County government
organized: the legal steps followed; Piatt County begins
to function; first recorded administrative proceedings.
Public buildings: courthouses; jails, tetters govern-
mental and political: changes in the form of county gov-
ernment; county court form of administration in transi-
tion; tovmship organization adopted; administration by
board of supervisors; an historical political episode;
the county's response to the nation's call to arms.
Economic development: population; resources; transpor-
tation. Conclusion.
2. Governmental Organization and Records System 33
Introduction, General administration. Finances : tax-
ation; fiscal control. Administration of justice:
courts; clerks of courts; ministerial officers; 'prose-
cutions; inquests; enforcement of law. Education.
Recordation. Public works: roads and bridges; public
buildings; drainage. Public services: public health;
vital statistics; public assistance. Coordination of
functions. Records system.
Chart 57
3. Roster of County Officers 59
4. Housing, fare, and .iccecsibility of the Records ,69
Charts of county offices, showing percentages of rec-
ords in depositories 74,75
Charts of depositories, showing location, contents,
and condition 76-78
Floor plans ,79-82
5. Abbreviations, Symbols, and Explanatory Notes 83
B, County Offices and Their Records
I. County Board 89
General index. Proceedings of board. Disposition of
accounts: appropriations; bills and claims; registers
of county orders; cancelled county orders; pension
fund accounts and applications. Afenagement of county
properties and roads: bond issues; insurance; motor
fuel tax allotments. Report.-^ to board. Jury lists,
- vii -
Table of Contents
Page
II. County Clerk 101
Taxation: list of taxable property, levies; collec-
tions, abatement; judgment, sale, redemption, for-
feiture; maps and plats. Vital statistics; births
and stillbirths; deaths; inarriapes; census. Licenses
and registers: registers of officers; professional
licenses and registers; patents; militia roll; estrays,
marks and brands; do^ licenses. Elections. Bonds
of officers. Changes in school districts. Miscel-
laneous papers. Fees, receipts and expenditures.
III. Recorder 120
Entry books. Instruments recorded: general; deeds;
mortgages - real estate; mortgages - chattel; certifi-
cates of levy; bonds of officers; other instruments.
L5aps and plats. Fees.
IV. County C our i; ...129
Proceedings of court. Dockets: court dockets;
justices' dockets. Fee books. Reports to court.
Bonds: official; court. Probation: juvenile;
mothers' pensions. InJieritance tax. Naturalization.
V. Probate Court 143
Proceedings of court: general proceedings; wills,
bonds, letters; inventories and appraisements; widows'
relinquishment and selection; petitions, decrees, re-
ports of sale; reports, currant and final accounts.
Dockets. Fee books.
VI . C ircuit C ourt 155
Proceedings of court. Transcripts. Dockets. Fee
books. Reports to court. Jury records. Bonds.
Parole. Naturalization. Receipts and expenditures.
VII. Sheriff 169
Process. Jail records. Fees, receipts and expendi-
tures.
VIII. Coroner 172
n . State ' s Attorney 174
X. Supervisor of Assessments 177
XI. Board of Review 179
XII. Collector 181
XIII. Treasurer 184
General accounts: registers and ledgers; cash books;
county orders. Special accounts: school; probate;
inheritance tax; highway; dog license; county officers
and court fees; drainage.
- viii -
Table of Contents
Page
XrV. Superintendent of Schools 188
Accounts of school funds. School districts. Teachers*
records. Pupils records. Reports. School treasurers'
bonds.
XV. Superintendent of Highways ^ .193
Commissioriors ' records. Construction and maintenance
records : plans and specifications; contracts; labor.
Allotnents and claims. Warrants, Reports. Corre-
spondence .
XVI. Surveyor ,' 198
XVII. Drainage Commissioners 199
XVIII. Department of Public Yfelfare 203
XIX, County Home 206
XX , Farm Bureau „ , . . 208
XXI, Tuberculosis Sanitarium Board 209
X-XII . C ounty Hurse 211
B ibl iography , 2 13
Chronological Index 235
Subject Index. 239
IX -
A. P I a t I Co Li n I y
and
Its Keccrds System
(First entry, p. 95)
1. HISTORICAL SKETCH
Introduction
Genssis and Antecedents
In the ref^.ion lying on the rt'estern edge of the Grand Prairie and
in the rich "3an_-<:T.on Country'' of Illinois, Piatt County v/as organized in
1841. The district out of vhich tl-e county was formed is near the geo-
graphic center of the stato. It 7;as cut off frorr. I.'acon and De ".Vitt
counties, reducing tiie parrr.t counties by that much on their eastern hal-ses.l
At the tine the T'/zelfth General Assemhly authorized the organization of
the new state administrative unit, its eastern boundary bordered on Coles
and Chai.-^aign counties. Coles was later subdivided so that that part of
this county which v;as on Piatt's border became Dout;,las County in 1859.2
In 18 io, loultrie County was organized out of Iwiacon and Shelby counties
and I.oultrie then becar^.e the soutliern boui-.dary of Piatt, v;hich for its
first two years of history was bounded on the south by Lacon.3 Cn the
west are De ivitt and I aeon coujities, and on the north is IvicLean County.
Early settlerient history of the county belongs to tlie antecedent
counties vjhich were fonned successively fron the tir.-.e when th.e region was
linox County as a part of the liorth.west Territory, then St. Clair County
v/hen it was Indiana Territory, then Ixidison, Edwards, and Crawford coun-
ties when they were parts of the Illinois Territory, and th.en Clarh and
Fayette counties fron harch 22, 1319 to January 23, 1327, when the area v;as
attached for adiidnistrative pui-poses to the nev;ly forried Shelby Coionty.'l
Kacon ;vas forned in 1829, and LcLean County in 1C30 out of portions of
territory attached to Sh.elby, and the northern part of what is nov/ Piatt
was included in LcLean until De v.itt wa.s forned ir. 1339.5 From then
until the General Assenbly ?.ct9d on the petition of tho qualified voters°
of De I'att and Laccn counties to form "a new county to be called Piatt",
all the northern half of the Piatt area was in De '.Vitt and the southern
half in i, aeon.
Area and physiography
The boundaries set by the act of establishjnent gave the county the
shape of a rectangle fron which t]:e northwest corner v;as cut off with a
1. L,13±l, p. 71.
2. L.1S59 , p. 2-1,29.
3. L.loiO, p. CO,
4. L.1S19 , p. 163; L.1321 , p. 164; R.L.1527 , p. 115.
5. L.1559 , p. 199.
6. As provided for in R.L. 1827 , p. 110.
- 3 -
- H -
Historical Sketch
Getbnck on the western line at the place where the oit-off begins.^ Tho long-
est north and south line of the area thus set off is 3^ miles, and the east
and west distance, in the uniform of the rectangle, is 15 miles. The area
co^iprises ripproximately 2S'S,Q^0 acres, or U5I square miles. "^ There is
nuch nearly level land in the county; however, the northwest comer is
gently rolling where the Blue Ridge moraine, a part of the Champai^ mo-
ronic system., cuts acrosr the county. Another moraine, the Cerro Gordo,
crosi-.es the county parallel to and on the south side of the Sangar.on
River, which traverses the central section of the county from northeast
to southwest. Both inorainal areas are ,:ently rollin^^ with few abrupt
slopes. The remainder of the county is level country: some of it is so
flat that the natural drainage is poor, 3 The average elevation of the
county is above the 550"^°°^ average for the state. The highest ele-
vation is 793 feet in the northeast corner of the county, and the lowest
is 612 feet recorded in the bed of the Sang,Tmon River where it crosses
the western boundary entering Macon County, '^
Drainag e, Soils, njid Climate
The Sanganon River, vhich has its source in Champaign County, is
the principal irntcrwny; it hrs no VC17/ largo tributaries plong its
course in Piatt, the main ones from the north being Madden' s Run, Goose
Creek, 17ild C-t Creek, and Wolf Run, aiid on the south Cninp Crock and
TTillow 3i?>.nch. South of the Cerro Gordo moraine the land drains into the
1. L.lSUl , p. 71. "Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois,
represented in the Generfil Assembly, that all that part of Macon and
Dc 77itt counties, included within the following boundaries, to wit:
Begirming '.-Aioro the north line of torm fifteen north intersects the
middle of range four cast, and running thence north through the mid-
dle of r.'Uigc four to the middle of tOT^.n nineteen; thence cast to the
west line of range five; thenco north to the northwest coroner of town
nineteen north, range five east; thence by a direct lino to the south-
west corner of section seven, to\7n t»7cnty-one north, mjige six; thence
east to the e'ast line of r-^jige six; thence south j^Long the east line
of range six to the north line of town fifteen north; thence west Ft-
long the north line of torn fifteen to the place of beginning, shall
constitute a ne\7 county to bo eddied the County of Piatt,"
2. Farm, H-ime and Connunity, Illinois (Urbana: University of Illinois,
193&)» ?• *+• Hercin.after cited as Farm, Home and ConTnrjiity . Other
sources report the area of the county viriously, iiuch as ^3^ ond hko
square miles.
3. R. S. Smith and Others, Piatt County Soils , Soil Report No. U7 (I'rbana:
University if Illinois, December, I93O) , p. 6. Hereinafter cited as
Piatt County Soils .
h. Survey of S^^nga'non River from ChaJtdlersvillc to Mnhomct , United States
GcologioOL Survey (Vfasliington: Government Printing Office, 1928), p. 67,
- 5 -
Historical Sketch
streams of the Kaskaskia River system. 1 Lake Pork has its headv;aters in
the imtershed i'onr.ed by the Cerro Gordo moraine, and flows southeai.;terly
into IVDUQlas Govnty where it entities irto the Kaskaskia. Numerous sm,all
creeks or runs flov>f south into houltrie County and thcsnce into the tribu-
tary systein of th(3 Kaskar.kia.
The origin of the soil material, \vhich gives to Piatt County its ex-
clusi-veiy ai;;rioultural resources, is placed in the C-lacial Epoch. A
thick deposit of f;laoial till covers the county; this till e:cceeds two
hundred feet i]i thickness over most of the area. Durin-;, the Glacial
Epoch two of the six ice sheets that moved southward from centers of ac"
cumulation in Labrador, in the Hudson Pay region, and in the northern
Rocky I.oijntains, advanced over the area that is now Fiatt County; these
were the Illinoisian and Larly YMsoonsin.^ ti-^q surface of the county
area prior tc glacial tines vjas broken, irre^^ular and uneven. According
to geologists the region f.round the Great Lakes and the Allerhany Mountains
was once a part of a vast ocean bed. It ei:;er^;ed from its watery depth dur-
ing the oarborJ.fercus period, after which the ice sheets, during a period
vjhon lar^,e portions of the earth's surface v/ere subjected to a great re-
frigeration, rubbed down the hills and filled the valli.-ys. Upon the re-
treat of theae gladers there was left a nearly level plain broken only
by the Blue hidce ai:d Cerro Gordo moraines.^ Following the retreat of the
IllinoJsian rlader there was a long period during which soil formed on
the till left by the Drift, or glacial ice s];eets. But the present soils
of the county were formed in a large part from the till left by the Early
Wisconsin glacier, which follovjed the Illinoisian, In a few areas a thin
blanket of rock flour, or loe^s, appears to have been deposited on the
till, and where suoh is the case t'ne soils were develoned fro::i the loess
and are pebble free.'*
Over much of tlie county there was a local reworking of the soil
material by the wir.d, producing a Icess-like cover. Flov;ing water re-
vrorked glacial till ajid the loes- in places, leaving deposits in the form
of bottoms, terraces, and outwash plains from which the soils of these a-
reas dsvoloped. All of the materials v/ere high in carbonates at the time
they wore deposited, a iact wliicl has an important bearing on the soils
developed fron tiiem. The till was made up of a great variety of rocks,
including limestone. These rocks were groLuid into various sized parti-
cles, including, the very finest as v;ell as gravel and stones, and these
particles were mixed together, giving a iraterial well supplied with all
the elements of plant food.^ In the region now included in Piatt County
all conditions v;er^ favorable for the accumulation of organic matter over
■"•• Piatt County Soils, p. 6.
3. Ibia., p. 10, "
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
- 6 -
Historical Sketch
a large proportion of the land. A grass vegetation developed and occu-
pied most of the area, and this condition, together v;ith the high lime
and high moisture contents of the soil, favored the accumulation of organ-
ic natter and the development of dark-colored soils, A relatively small
part of the total area v;as occupied by a timber vegetation, v;hich resulted
in the development of light-colored soils. This soil mostly was developed
along the Sangamon River and in the southeastern corner of the county
v.iriere most of the timber vegetation v;as to be found. ■'■
Through the passing of time, the soils as they are known today took
form. Layers or horizons, often spoken of as surface, subsurface, and
subsoil, became distinguishable. The soils cf the county are youthful
in the sense that various parts of the profile are not yet fully developed.
In some of the lovf-lying areas fresh v«ter shells arc still abundant, in-
dicating the short time that has elapsed since these areas wore svrtimpy.
The construction of dredge ditches and the installation of tile drainage
have changed the low-lying sv;ampy areas into highly productive farm land.
About ninety-four percent of the soils of the county are dark colored.
These soils were originally high in organic matter and are still supplied
with this important constituent except where no provisions have been r&de
in the farming plan for its replenishment, and on the slopes v;hich have
eroded rapidly. Light colored soils occupy about six percent of the total
area cf the county.^
The soils of the county on the whole are characteristic of the prai-
rie lands throughout the central portion of the state, mainly being a
deep, black vegetable mold. On the prairies there aro boulders of vari-
ous colors, generally grey, and red and grey syenite. In the altered drift
can be found Devonian fossils and fragments of the Coal Measure rocks.
Springs highly colored vn.th oxide of iron have been found in the county.
Some of the wells dug and bored from 60 to 100 hundred foot aro supplied
seemingly with an incxhaustable amount of water. There is such a vrcll in
Goose Crock Township 120 feet deep; another on the fair grounds at t'onticcllo
52 feet deep; and on the prairie near i.-onticcllo is one 30 feet deep; and
one at Bement 15 feet in depth. One of the vrells dug in the county shov/ed
a fine deposition of conglomerate, supposed to have been from the bottom
of Lake Michigan when its outlet v.'as the Mississippi River .^
The climate of Piatt County is typical of that prevailing in the
Mississippi Valley region. It is characterized by a v/ide range in tem-
perature betiTOen the extremes of the winter and summer and by an abund-
1. Piatt County Soils, p. 11.
2. Ibid., p. 11,12.
3. ErjTja C. Piatt, History of Piatt County, Illinois (Chioago: Shepard
and Johnston, 1883), p. 100. Hereinafter cited as History of Piatt
County.
Historical Sketch
ant, ivell distributed rnin.fall. The greatefit ran^e in temperature for
any one year for the twenty- six- year period, 1903 to 1928, was 122 de-
grees in 10O5, and aj^ain in 1913. The highest temperature was lOS""' in
1913; the lov^cst, 25° belov» zero in 1905, The 'summer temperature ex-
ceeded 100° durinp, five years and the winter ter.perature fell to 10° be-
low zero durinf^ fourteen years out of tho tv;enty-six-year period. The
average date of the last killing frost in the spring is April 25; tho
earliest in the auturin is October IC, The average length of the growing
season is 174 days, v;hich is anple time to mature all the crops common to
the region. Occasionally frost comes early enougli to injure soft corn
when the preceding spring has been very wet and backward, delaying plant-
ing, lYintor wheat is sometimes injured by sleet and ice, particularly
on flat land,-'-
Tho average annual rainfall for tho tv/enty- six-year period was
.35. 2G inches, Tho \;cttest year on record, 192 7, had a rainfall of
55.64 inches; tho driest year, 1914, had a rainfall of 24,68 inches. The
average monthly rainfall of more than 3 inches during tho growing season
supplies tho soil with enough water to maintain proper moisture for grow-
ing crops. However, the total precipitation is only one of the factors
that control drought: other important factors are humidity, r:.te of evapo-
ration, rate at vihich the rain falls, lapse of time between rains and
drainage conditions. Rainfall in this county is sufficiently well dis-
tributed that seldom is there a severe drought. Occasionally twenty to
thirty days nass vdthout muc?i rain, and crop yields are then reduced and
meadows and pastures are s'aort."'
Flora and Fauna
The streams of the county are all bordered with growths of timber
which include the varieties that are co:nmon to this region. In the wood-
ed sections are to be found such trees and shrubs as maple, hickory, wild
cherry, pine, wild plum, wild crabapple, laurel, hazel, burr oak, white
oak, black walnut, service-berr;', ironwood, swamp and upland ash, locust,
elm, gum, dog^veod, and sycamore. Since the land has been under cultiva-
tioii considerable timber has been added by the cultivation of forest trees
on the prairie, and numerous groves !^.avc been gro\"m throughout the county.
Before the region was settled the biiffalo, ulk, and bear roamod tho
prairies and forests aloii.r tho Sraigamon, pastured on its lands and
watered in its strcam.s. With the coming of thi.' white man, however, their
mimbcrs gradually decreased and finally disappeared, leaving only trails
and bones to toll of their former existence hero. In the early days of
settlement there were found in the region doer, fox, v;olf, raccoon, m.ink,
1 . Piatt County'. Goils , p ,
2 , Ibid.
- 8 -
Historical Sketch
opossum, aoid coyote. Several species of wild animals foraerly common
have become scarce, while some are no longer found at all. Gray fox
squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and qusll once v/ere numerous, while now they
are less frequently seen orA only at time n\imerous enough to be htmted.
The rivers, creeks, ponds, and lakes in the spring and autumn vere cov-
ered with swajis, pelicans, cranes, f;ecse, ducks, and hrants of many spe-
cies. Grouse and wild turkey were abiindaiit for the most aggressivo
hunter. Rattlesnakes were common and a great danger to nan and beast.
The streams abounded with edible fish, an important factor in man's con-
quest of the frontier. Without wildlife ais a source of food supply it
would have been most difficult for the earliest settlers to survive the
rigors of frontier life which they were compelled to face.
Natural Resources
It was determined by geologic forces years ago that the natural re-
sources of the territory of this covuity were to be almost completely
agricultural, since the jjrime essentials of good and cheap coal, constant
water power, and an abundance of timber were lacking in quantities ade-
quate for manufacturing purposes. There are no minarals to be found in
Piatt Couiity. The Coal Measures v;hich underlie nearby counties are not
reached at a depth that would make their commercial development profit-
able. It is probable that coal would not be fouiid at a depth of less
than 600 or 800 feet below the surface, and it is not known whether there
is any considerable deposit of a quality that could be gainfully mined.
Early Civilizations
Little trace of a civilization earlier thoja that of the Indifxns is
to be found within the region. There are a number of mounds within the
limits of the county, and seme speculation has been advanced as to their
origin. But -until much more of the work of scientific exploration, com-
parision, and collation of evidence along the lines of the expeditions cf
the Universitj?- of Illinois among the Cahokia Mounds, and the University
of Chicago in Fulton and Tazewell co^unties is completed, no authorative
statement can be made concerning the mounds of Illinois.
The area of Piatt County seems not to have figured much in the exis-
tence of any but the white race. At the time Illinois was admitted into
the Union the Kickapoo Indians were still in central Illinois, and the
Sacs and the Foxes in the territory r^orthwest of the Illinois River.
Piatt County probably never was the site of an Indiana village, nor was
it crossed by important Indian trails, yet the Indiai": waiidered over its
hills aiid prairies to hunjj game, and up end down the banlcs of the
Sangamon to fish in its waters. Often spots in the county were chosen
for camp grounds, at least one attraction, no dcubt, being the fine
springs of water.
French and British Occupation
The civil history of the Illinois countr;^ begins when it was a part
of the vast territory first claimed by the Spanish, and which they ca,lled
Florida. Afterwards it was settled by the French as a result of the ex-
- 9 -
Historical Sketch
plorations of Father Jacques Iferquotte, Louis Jolliet, Si©ur de la Salle,
and Father Louis Hennepin. Between the years 1680 and 1690 the first
settlements were started. The first military occupation of the country
v^s at Fort Crevecoeur, in February, 1680. The first settlement in
Illinois, or in the Mississippi Valley region, was at Fort St, Louis on
the Illinois River (the site now known as Starved Txcok in La Salle County),
the building of vyriiich was undertaken in 1682.^ In the Illinois country
the settlements were never large and they vrere widely scattered, consisting
of the settlements of Kaskaskia, Prairie du Rocher, St. Philips, Fort De
Chartres, and Cahokia. Yet the fertility of the Illinois bottom land
produced enough grain to supply not only the needs of its omi population
and posts on the Ohio River, but Louis.iana and New Orleans settlements
as woll.^
The English settled for the most part along the Atlantic seaboard
from ISxine to Florida, and were hemraed in between the Appalachian Mountains
and the Atlantic Ocean. By the middle of the eighteenth century they had
turned their eyes across the Alleghenies, but the French line of settle-
ments and forts seemed to present an unbroken front, interfering with the
progress of the English vrestv/ard, • The long struggle between the French
and British for colonial possessions in the New World proved disastrous
for the French, with the result that their regime in Illinois passed to
the control of the English. Under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, Feb-
ruary 10, 1763, which closed the French and Indian War, all Canada and
other French territory east of the Mississippi were ceded to the British
Crovm.'^ Thus the region aftervvards called the Northwest Territory came
entirely under English rule.
Sovereignty Achieved
The year 1753 marks a turning point in American history,. The power
of France in the Now World T.vas broken forever; England novj- had control
of the vast territory stretching from, the Atlantic Ocean to the Missi-
ssippi River. The English colonists fearing no longer the attacks of
the French and Indians and, awakened to their own strength, began to de-
mand from England the right which they asserted belonged to them as sub-
jects of the British Crovm. These deinands eventually led to the Revolu-
tionary 7fer, and to the independence of the thirteen Aiaerican colonies
that became the United States, Large land companies were formed by enter-
prising colonial loaders to open up the territory v/cst of the Alleghenies,
but the outbreak of the Revolution delayed the plans. Every post of im-
1. Theodore C. Pease, The Story of Illinois (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and
Company, 1925), p. 9,10. Hereinafter cited as The Story of Illinois .
2. Ibid., p. 16.
3. "Definitive Treaty," The Parliamentary History of England, published
under superintendence of T. C. ?Iansard (London, 1813), XV, 1291-1303.
Hereinafter cited as Parliamentary History of England.
- 10
Historical Sketch
portance in the West vr&s held by the English at the outbreak of the war
for independence. As the rosult of the successful conquest of t^ie north-
west by General George Rogers Clark and his expedition in 1778, the
British power was ended north and west of ttie Ohio River, and south of
Canada. This territory included v^at is now known as the states of Illi-
nois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and 'Yisconsin.
Ihe history of the minor Illinois subdivision, Piatt County, is at-
tached to many remote events which are vrell knovm to history and yet do
not constitute a part of the archival record of the coimty. Nevertheless,
the county's history is interv.'oven with its numerous governmental and so-
cial organizations.
Early Settlers
The record of settlement of the area of Fiatt County proper began
about 1822. The first settler W8.s George ITayivorth, according to common
agreement of chroniclers of the early settlement period. Ho was appointed
by the Federal government as an agent to secure the signature of the
Kickapoo Indians to a treaty providing for their removal beyond the
Mississippi. Vfith the help of the Indians he built in the autvimn of 1622
the first cabin ever erected within the limits of the county. The cabin
wns near the Indians' camp on the site of the present city of Monticello.
James A. Fiatt, for whom the county was named, ^ bought the cabin from
Hayworth in 1829 and occupied it as a residence until his death in 1838,
It was well knovm as a tavern on the trail from Danville to Springfield
and many men prominent in the early history of Illinois stayed over night
beneath its roof. It vras later removed from its original site to the
county fair grounds in 1888 and used as a club house by the Old Settlers
'.ssociation for many years. It is now at Briar Crest, having been re-
stored to its original condition.
The first fevr who settled in the county area brought vdth them pro-
visions to last through a planting to the time of harvest. The land was
broken by yoke of oxen; fences were built of rails or sod. The first
settlements v;ere made in or nenr timber. ?«ost farmers kept a few sheep
and the Spinning wheel was found in most homes. V/omen made the clothes
for the family, and children were given vrork to do as soon as they v:ere
able to help. Few of that day dreamed that the broad prairies eventually
would be settled and put under cultivation. The first settlers entering
land were from the southern states, many of them coming by way of Ohio
and Indiana, Hayworth vms a Quaker from Tennessee. James A, Piatt, men-
tioned above, came from Ohio originally, and after purchasing Hayworth 's
1, Charles Mcintosh, Past and Present of Piatt Counb'- , Together with
Biographical Sketches of T'any Prominent and Influential Citizens
(Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1903), p. 14. Hereinafter
cited as Fast and Present of Piatt County.
- 11 -
Historical Sketch
claim, moved there with his family. Though the number of settlers in-
creased, the rich, rolling prairie with all its fertility and beauty had
few charms as a dv;elling place for the hardy pioneers; instead, they in-
variably selected spots in the timber for their abiding place, and it was
nof long before the first settlers had neighbors in all the belts of tim-
ber that lined the banks of the streams.!
Conter.porary National and Stcte Life
vThen Piatt County was organized in 1841, the frontier settlement
period of Illinois was drawing to a close. The border states were now
beyond the Llississippi River, though there still vrere millions of acres
of unsettled public lands in Illinois. The "tjhigs and Democrats of the
time vjere opposing one another with different land policy measures. Land
speculation v/as rife,^ and, with the exception of Abraham Lincoln, most
prominent politicans in the state were involved. The nation as a whole
was full of bounce and bluster. The country was grov/ing up; it was im-
mature. It vj'as a busy age, though an awkrward one. These years are now
known as "the fabulous fortioc," when to enjoy America one lived roughly
and simply. "A vast nation was forming, society ever changing, all in mo-
tion, nothing complete, . . . all busy as a hive, full of energy and activi-
ty," The decade of the forties opened v;ith great numbers believing that
the end of the world was imminent. The resurrection of Christ was pre-
dicted with elaborate calculations based on biblical prop?iesies. Trades-
men advertised "muslin for ascention robes." P. T. Barnum, self-styled
"Prince of Humbugs," \ia.F, thrilling and awing crov/ds with his human mon-
strosities. Godey's Lady Book was the guide of what was correct to vjear,
to say, and to do among those who cared for that sort of thing. Daniel
Decatvir Emmett of Mount Vernon, Ohio, m.instrel song writer and actor, who
later was to write and compose "Dixie," and "Old Dan Tucker," produced
"Old Dog Tray," a popular song of the time. Stephen Collins Foster,
writer and composer of folk songs, presented his "Old Folks at Home."
Nathaniel Havrthorne, novelist, and Edgar Allen Foe, literary critic,
pure poetic genius, writer of unsurpassed m.ystery tales and inventor of
the detective story, were attracting attention in two worlds - the old
and the new. Janies Russell Lowell, poet, essayist, and diplom.at, and
1. Past and present of Piatt County, p. 10, 11.
2. Theodore Calvin Pease, The Frontier State 1818-1848 , v. II of The
Centennial History of Illinois (Chicago: A, C. I'cClurr &. Co., 1919 ),
"pT 174,3-36,357. Plereinafter cited as The Frontier Stete. Note: In
1850 Congress granted the sti te 2,590,000 acres through the central
part of the state in aid of the construction of the Illinois Central
Railroad. By 1656 more than 15,000,000 acres in the state were held
1y speculators, vrtio had taken up about all the land that had been in
the public domain excepting that portion 0T.vned by iho state and the
Illinois Central Railroad.
- 12 -
Historical Sketch
William Cullen Bryant, poet and journalist, wore luminaries among the
literati ivho included such names as Ralph Waldo Emerson, the transcenden-
talist, Henry David Thoreau, and Thomas Carlyle, Scotch essayist and
historian, and Charles Dickens, English novelist.
Ifertin Van Buren, Democrat, v.-as finishing his administration as
President of the United States, General Willian: Henry Harrison, former
governor of Indiana Territory vAen the Illinois country v.'as a part of it,
and John Tyler had been chosen president and vice-president as the first
■"iVhigs to be elected to these offices. The "Loc Cabin and Hard Cider"
campaign slogan had captured the Illinois frontier in spite of its former
strong Democratic leanings : "Old Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" (the Vftiig
candidates) '/rere the heroes of the day - a short day for Harrison who
died within a month after he was inaugurated president and before Piatt
County was organized in accordance ■■with the provisions of the act of
establishment.
The Mormons from their headquarters at Nauvoo wore a factor in the
political life of the state, and were fast becoming f. serious issue.
They held the balance of political povrer in Illinois, and aspired to a
similar position in the nation.'^ Thomas Carlin, Democrat, ivas Governor
of Illinois, and Stephen A, Douglas, Democrat, and Abraham Lincoln,
Whig, were ambitious and promising young lav;yers vri. th a bent for state-
craft.
Agriculture was being influenced by the appearance of the new
machines : the McCormick reaper, the Wostinghouse and Church thresher, and
the John Deere all steel, self-cleaning, chilled plow. These machines
revolutionized the industry and stimulated emigration to the fertile
lands of Illinois. The prairie lands of central Illinois were from this
time on the scene of great changes affecting the life of the state and
nation.
Piatt County Government Organized
There was a movement in 1837 in that part of Kacon County that is
now Piatt to form a new county, because come of the settlers thouf-ht it
was too far to go to Decatur, the county seat, for the transaction of leg-
al business. A meeting of those interested was called, and a committee
v;as appointed to draw up and circulate a petitioi to be presented to the
General Assembly, asking that a new county be organized out of parts of
liJcon, De Witt, and Champaign counties. Little encouragement was received,
by those who circulated the petition in Champaign County, and the idea of
having any part of that county included in the now unit was dropped. The
1, The Frontier State, p, 348,350,351.
- 13 -
Historical Sketch
committees that circulated the petition for signatures among the voters
of I&icon and DeWitt counties were' more successful, and the petition vras
presented to the General Assembly, January 1, 1841, An unsuccessful
effort was made to have the new county named Grundy; however, it was named
in the enabling act in honor of James A. Piatt, who had been a prominent
and influential member of the court of county comjnissioners of Macon
County, and whose efforts were largely responsible for the separation m.ove-
ment, Piatt died in 1838, before the enterprise had been carried to a suc-
cessful conclusion.
The Legal Steps Followed
Pending organization of the county in accordance with the general pro-
visions of the Constitution of 1818, and acts 6}^ the General Assembly, in-
cluding the provisions of the act of formation,''' elections were to bo held
at John Madden 's and in Monticello, and the judges of elections in those
precincts were to hold office until the covmty commissioners of Piatt
County appointed others. The enabling act directed that an election bo
held on the first Monday of April, 1841, for the purpose of electing all
county officers. The poll books of said election wore directed to bo tak-
en to Monticollo where on Tuesday following the election John Hughes,
Abraham Marquis, Joh:i T. Tinbrool:, and Jaraos Rebor, four regular acting
justices of the peace in the county (or so many of them as could be present)
were to canvass the votes given for each candidate, and cause the results
to be proclaimed aloud, naming the persons elected and the offices to
which they were elected. Returns of the election vrore to be made to the
Secretary of the State. The county would be considered as legally organ-
ized as soon as the first elected officers were qualified according to
law.
As soon as tho clerk of the county coniriiissioncrs ' court gavo his
bond "to the acceptance of the county comrd ssioners" he informed the judge
of the judicial circuit, ^Yho thereupon appointed a clerk, after which,
courts were held in Monticello until a county seat was permanently estab-
lished. All suits at law commenced in Macon and DelTitt counties before
the county of Piatt was ofganized vrere decided in the respective counties.
All justices of the peace, constables and other officers vrithin the newly
organized unit continued in their respective offices until the terms of
same expired,^
1. Past and Present of Piatt County , p. 14,
2. Constitution of 1818, Schedule, soc. 4; L.1819 , p. 175,176,
3. L.1S41 , p. 71.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid., p. 72.
6. Ibid,
- 14 -
Historical Sketch
The act of formation provided for the appointment of school commis-
sioner, v/ho v«s to "demand and receive from tho school commissioners of
liicon and De 'tYitt counties all monies, notes, bonds, mortgages, and other
writings pertaining to said County of Piatt, and likowisc its distribu-
tive share of all unexpended state and school funds. "^ The county com-
missioners were directed to meet on the first Monday in June, 1841, and
to perform all the duties required of county commissioners, and to levy a
tax v;hich vms to be equal in all parts of tlie county. Fiacon County was
involved in a hoavy debt, incurred by the construction of a courthouse in
Decatur; and because tho voters of Macon County consented upon certain
conditions to the petition for the formation of Piatt County, the new
county via.s required by terms in the enablinj; act to bear its portion of
the balance of the debt due on tho courthouse. Three Piatt County commis-
sioners were named in the act to meat tho commissioners of Ivfecon County
at their regular session in June, 1841, and to ascertain the amount of
debt remaining unpaid at tho close of tho year 1840, and after deducting
therefrom the funds on hand at the time, and tho debts then owed to J/flcon
County, they were to apportion tho balance of tho courthouse debt between
the parts of lifecon County included in Piatt and the remaining part of
Iv'i^con, according to the tax list of the latter county in 1840, that part
of Ii'flcon County included in Piatt County ivac hold bound to pay its pro-
portionate share of the courthouse debt, and the interest thereon on the
same condition that Ifecon County '«as bound. The commissioners of Piatt
County ^vere given permission to order paid the v^iole of tlie debt due
^Sacon County whenever funds arising from that part of Piatt County Avas
sufficient therefor .^ An act supplementary to the enabling act, and ap-
proved by the General Assembly February 27, 1841, provided that the in-
habitants from that part of De 'iVitt County which formed a part of Piatt,
were not required to pay any portion of the indebtedness to J.fecon County,
Of the three commissioners named in the act to meet with the commiEsioners
of Macon County in the matter of the courthouse debt, one was George A,
Patterson, a school teacher,^ ivho had been delegated to represent at
Springfield tho proposed new county and to secure passage of the act di-
viding IJI&Gon and De Witt counties. The other tv^o commissionors were
Vfilliam Barnes and N, H, Devore.^
The enabling act provided that all county business be transacted in
Monticello until a county seat had been permanently located. ° Section
five of the act specified that the court of the judicial circuit be held
at the same place. It was in this manner that all of the county business
1. L.1841 , p, 72.
2, Ibid., p, 73,
3, Ibid., p. 91.
4. Supervisors' Record, v, I, p» 215.
5, L,1841 , p, 73.
6. Ibid,, p. 72.
- 15 -
Historical Sketch
life v/as centered in the one locality, pending the outcome of the election,
set by the act for the first Monday in April, 1842,1 or just one year from
the date of holding the first election for county officers. It was re-
quired that the owners of the land upon which the county seat v;as to be
located should execute a "good warranty deed for twenty-five acres of land
for the benefit of the county" in order that the place be eligible for de-
signation as the county seat. The county commissioners vrere to cause the
land to be laid off in town lots, in the center of which was to be laid off
one entire block for a public square. Should the highest niamber of votes
be given to any tovm already laid off and a candidate for the county seat,
the proprietor v/as required to make to the county commissioners a "good
warranty deed" to forty lots in said town, sold and unsold, or in lieu
thereof, twenty acres of land adjoining said to-mi, at the option of the
proprietor of the tovm. 2
Piatt County Begins to Function
The population of the county at the time it vras organized was about
seven hundred. Monticello, the oldest to^'m in the county, was chosen as
the county seat at the election held the first I.'onday of April, 1842.
The town was planned and founded in 1837 by four men: Abraham Marquis,
Y/illiam Barnes, Major I,':c Reynolds, and John A. Piatt. These men formed a
stock company and laid out the town on land formerly owned by Piatt. The
site was on the south side of the Sangamon River and centrally located in
the county. The town v;as named by Kajor KcReynolds in honor of Thomas
Jefferson, whose mansion-home is known as Monticello. The first term of
the circuit court was held J,;ay 14, 1341, in the Devore Hotel, knovm as
"The Old Fort." Samuel Ii. Treat was circuit judge. 3 The county com-
missioners chosen at the first election (April 5, 1841) were John Hughes,
".Villiam Bailey, and Enoch Peck. John Piatt was elected sheriff; Henry
Barnes, coroner; John P. Tinbrook, treasurer; James Rever, probate justice
of the peace and surveyor; Joseph King, county clerk; and James F. Outten,
recorder. Joseph King vras chosen school comr.issioner at the August elec-
tion of the same year.^
The first grand jury was impaneled at the October term of the cir-
cuit court, 1841. George A. Patterson was foreman of the jury Vifhich re-
turned no indictments. Little business ;vas transacted by the county com-
missioners' court during the first four terms, according to historians
who have pieced together the record for the two years, April, 1841 to
Karch, 1843, for which period no minutes of the meetings of the county
1. L.1841 , p. 72.
2. Ibid.
3. Past and Present of Piatt County , p. 15,37-39.
4. See Roster of County Officers, p. 59-G8.
- 16 -
Historical Sketch
coKimisGioners ' court are available,'- However, it has been creditably es-
tablished that the county waG divided Into three election precincts dur-
ing this time of unrecorded administrative history; they were Monticello,
Sangamon, and Otew, Georpe Boyor was appointed ovorsecr of the poor for
the Sangamon precinct, James McReynolds for the Monticello precinct, and
Samuel Harshbarger for the Okaw precinct, ^ The marriage register of the
county shows that the first marriage license v;tis granted in April, 1841.
The certificates of qualification for offices grantod by the Secretary
of State of Illinois further show that the county as an administrative
unit of state government was legally functioning when its officers, elect-
ed April 5, 1841, vrere qualified. "^
First Recorded Administrativo Proceedings
The county commissioners' court convened for the I.5arch, 1843 term at
the courthouse in Monticello. The minutes of this meeting are the first
available for inventory and study. The members of the court vrero the
same commissioners as vrorc chosun at the first county election. The first
item of business was that of accepting the reports of nine road supervisors
for the year 1842.^ Road districts for the succeeding year were laid out
and supervisors therefor appointed. This time two new districts were set
up, indicating that novr highvreiys were being opened up and new farmsteads
established in the county. By this time, George A. Patterson had become
school commissioner and the court authorized him to niake a settlement with
Joseph Kingj the first school commissioner of the county. Patterson was
authorized by the court to call on the school commissioner of De Witt
County and receive from him all papers and monies in his hands belonging
to town 19 north, range 5 and 6 east. The school commissioner ivas also
authorized "to take a loan of the money paid in state bank paper by John
West and to give his note with mortgage on unincvimbered real estate at the
rate of fifty-six and one-fourth cents per dollar in favor of township 18
north, range 5 cast."^
I^iiintenanoe of roads was socialised by an order of the court re-
quiring every able-bodied man to perform three days' labor on the high-
ways in his respective district. George A. Patterson's county duties
were expanded to include those of county assessor for 1843; Edward Ater
was appointed collector, and was authorized to receive Indiana state
paper for county revenue.^ In 1842 the State Bank of Illinois failed,
carrying widespread ruin all over the state. Its scattered notes a-
mounted to more than $3,000,000, and these state bank bills constituted
most of the currency of the people. Though the notes had been falling
1. County Record, v. A, p. 1,
2. Past and Present of Piatt County, p. lii,
3 . L.1841, p."7T: '"
4. Court Record, v. A, p. 1-5,
5. Ibid», p. 5,6.
6. Ibid.
- 17
Historical Sketch
in value for a long time, they suddenly became practically worthless.
It becaiVie a problem to keep the state government going because the state
could borrov; no money. The internal improvement bubble had burst and
the financial vrorld believed Illinois would repudiate her already hea-'Tj'-
indebtedness. The people had little money except State Bank bills with
which to pay taxes. The Governor, Auditor, and Treasurer of the state
were authorized by the General Assembly to notify the public through
the press that hills on the State I-ank at Soringfield v;ould not be re-
ceived for taxes. Bills on the State Bank at Sha-'.vneeto^vn vrere exempted,
and this psnrdtted land speculators in particular to pay their revenue
bills in worthless paper of that institution. The general effect of
this v:as widespread protest by the taxpayers of the state. 1 This situ-
ation continued to be a cause for complaint and unrest; it also was in
part the background of tlie circuiristances on which Abraham Lincoln was
at a later date challenged to a duel by State Auditor James Shields. 2
As above noted, Illinois State Bank notes were accepted at this time on
a loan m.ade by th? county at the rate of fifty-six and one-fourth cents
per dollar.
Edwfrd Ater had replaced John Piatt as sheriff at the timiC the min-
utes of the county comn'.i ss loners ' court .-.'ere opened as an archival rec-
ord. Jefferson D. Wills was elected county clerk, replacing Joseph
king, in Aufrust, 1842. Overseers of the poor viore appointed for the
Sangamon, IJonticello, and Okaw precincts. ^
The comj!;issioners, \;ho v/ere elected at the time the county was or-
ganized, convened for the June, 1843 session of the court. Road view-
ers v;ere appointed to serve in connection with a petition, for a nevf
road, filed in the office of the county clerk. At the same time it vras
ordered that no allov;ance hereafter would be made for the services of
road viewing. The report of a committee appointed by the court to ex-
amine the books and vouchers of the school commdssioner, George A.
Patterson, was accepted. The report absolved "Patterson froiri any
charge of improper conduct in the managem.ent of the business and du-
ties of the office of school commissioner of Piatt County, "4 Transac-
tions involving school funds -.vere recorded at this term of court, but no
action was taken concerning the establishment of schools or their admin-
istration. Comrdssioners were eilo'.ved $1.50 per day each for two days'
service; likewise, the county clerk v.'as allowed $1.50 a day for his ser-
1. Albert J. Beveridge, Abraham Lincoln 1809-58 (Boston: Houghton
Idfflin Company), II, 37,38.
2. Ibid., p. 33-57,
3. Court Record, v. A, o. 7.
4. Ibid., p. 8,10.
- 18 -
Historical Sketch
vices at the court, and Edward Ater, sheriff, was allowed $2.00 for two
days' service.^
^iJVhen the September (1843) term of the commissioners' court convened,
two newly elected commissioners were present: William H« Piatt, who wag
elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of William Bailey,
and vYilliam Wright. Enoch Puck v.'as recorded as "judge of the board."
James F. Outten had been elected court clork. At this time the bonds
of other elected county officers w^re accepted and filed. ^ The county
road starting "from a point on Vi'ild Cat point and running to a point a-
bove Goose Creek near William Stages' lands on the old read," was relocat-
ed in accordance with the report miide by Thomo.s Welsh and Abraham Lliarquis,
road viewers appointed by the comjTiissionors. The plot of survey of the
road was laid before the court and \\ias approved. Thirty dollars were ap-
propriated for raising the highv.'uy at the Sangamon bridge, and for raising
the east end of the said bridge,*^ John Ricketts v/p.s appointed county
treasurer to fill the vacancy me.de by the resignation of John P. Tinbrook.
The rate of taxation for county purposes for the ycc.r 1343 was fixed at
twenty cents for every hundred dollars of taxable property.'^ In December,
Adison I. Wiley, commissionor -elect, succeeded Enoch Peck, vA\o was the last
member of the court as originally constituted.
At this time, in addition to there being an elected county school com-
missioner,^ there ^vere three trustees of school lands in each congression-
al tovmchip where the county comr.issioners' court held it expedient and
the population thereof approved. The trustees of the school lands ivere
appointed by the commissioners.^ It was at the December meeting of the
commissioners' court that a vacancy was filled in township 18 north, range
6, by the appointment of Daniel Strickle, school land trustee in place of
J» D. Willis. John Argo, Nicholas Oullery, and Daniel Stev;art v/ere ap-
pointed trustees of school lands for township 20 north, range 6 east.'
County Treasurer Ricketts reported a balance on hand in the treasury of
$1.56, Uncollected notes for lots sold totaled $115.48. These wore lots
of the twenty-five acres of land donated to the county by the owners of
the property on which the county seat vms locatod.°
1. Court Record, v. A, p. 11,12.
2. Ibid,, p. 13,14,
3. Ibid,, p. 16,19.
4. Ibid,, p. 19,21,
5. K.L.1G29 , p. 150-54; L,1941, p. 261,262,
6. R.L.1B27, p. 366-70. For the duties of the trustees of school lands,
SCO Governmental Organization, p. 4 5,47.
7. Court Record, v. A, p. 23.
8. Ibid,
Historical Sketch
- 19 -
Public Buildings
Courthouses
Meetings of the oommis si oners were held at the courthouse in
Monticello from the March, 1843 term to the December term of that year.
In the minutes of the December meeting it was recorded that "John Ricketts
was allowed |50 of the $100 vjhich \«;as \vithheld as security for completing
the courthouse."-'- This was the first official mention that a courthouse
had been constructed. From secondary sources it has been learned that
the circuit court convened in Ifey, 1841, in the Devore Hotel; but virhethor
"the courthouse" mentioned in the minutes of the first records extant was
this hotel or some other place rented for the temporary p\;rpose, is not
laiown from the county's administrative records. If the place of meeting
from June, 1841 (the date set by the enabling act for the first meeting
of the county commissioners' court) to the time of occupying the court-
house recorded in December, 1843, be called the first of Piatt County's
county buildings, then there vvere four in all used for the purpose during
the ninety-nine years (1841-1940) of the county's history.
However, the Supervisors' Record of September, 1903, contains a
brief history of the formation of Piatt County. This history of the
county was prepared and read before the board of supervisors and v;as
ordered put in a box to be placed within 'the cavity of the corner stone
of the new courthouse that was constructed at that time. It is stated
that the first courthouse was constructed in 1843.^ In January, 1845,
the commissioners ordered the courthouse received off the hands of
John Ricketts, and that he be paid $30 in county orders to be issued in
September of that year, "provided the doors be finished by that time ac-
cording to contract, ""5 It was a one-story frame building, the site of
■vrfiich Y;as also used for the second courthouse v/hich vias formally accepted
as completed by the county court, June 15, 1857.
Thus it Avas that, by 1856, the need for a more commodious county
building was apparent and a contract for a two-story brick building was
awarded to George Dempsey and John Loivry for $10,936 to be paid in four
equal installments : one fourth when the foundation was completed, one
fourth -when enclosed, one fourth v;hen finished, and one fourth a year
after completion. This structure originally had a cupola; it vnas des-
troyed by a storm in 1871 and was never replaced. The building served
the county for forty-six years, during which time it required little
repairs.^
1. Court Record, v. A, p. 25,
2. Supervisors' Record, v, I, p, 215,216.
3. Court Record, v. A, p, 45.
4. Supervisors' Record, v. I, p. 216,
5. Ibid.
- 20 -
Historical Sketch
Tho first courthouso«.waG removed from itis site in Monticello to tho 'jrest
side of the public square. The county retained use of the building for
one year pending; the construction of the new courthouse on the site of the
old one.-'- That the completed building and its furnishinr^s cost more than
the price fixed in the contract is apparent from the extra sums allowed
the contractors at the time the structure v;as received and approved as hav-
ing been completed in accordance \\rith the terms and specifications of the
contract. The building was valued at iil2,000 in January, 1859, when it
vnxs insured for $8,000.'-
In time, this structure became unsuited and unfit for the expanded
services of the various county offices; and agitation for repairs or for
reconstruction of the county building was recorded in the county records
as earl;/ as 1876.^ Finally in Ivferch, 1900, the board of supervisors
adopted a resolution that asserted the courthouse was in such a state of
decay as to make further repairs impracticable. The building was said
to be "no longer adequate to meet the demands of our progressive people."
The board ro commended that tho question of building a new courthouse be
submitted to the voters at the next general election to be held the first
Tuesday in November, 1900.^ However, it v.-ns not until September, 1902,
that a similar action of the board became effective in that it resulted
in approval by tho voters and the floating of a $100,000 bond issue for
the construction of a new courthouse and repairs of the jail, 5 Provision
was made for housing the various county offices during the construction
period in other buildings at the county seat, Tho contract for building
the nevf courthouse was av/arded July, 1903 to H, B, Vfelter of Danville,
Illinois, the work to be completod on or before July 15, 1904, A penalty
clause included in the contract required pa,\TnQnt by the contractor of .^50
a day for every day the building remained unfinished after the date fixed, ^
At the September, 1903 meeting of the board of supervisors there
was read an invitation from the Fraternal Lodge, Number 58, A, F, and
A, i/i, (iv'iasonic order) of Monticello "cordially" inviting the "honorable
body" of supervisors "to attend and participate in tho ceremonies of
laying the cornerstone of the new Piatt County courthouse, September 22,
1905, at two o'clock p, m," Tlie svipervisors at the sane time authorized
"tho JiSisoric order to select the engraving or lettering on the east face
of cornerstone," The other face of the stone was to have engraved there-
on the names of members of the board of supervisors, the architect, and
the contractor, A committee vrtis appointed to select records or papers to
1. Court Record, v, B, p. 49,58,61,
2. Ibid., p. 145,146,430.
5. Supervisors' Record, v. E, p. 60j ibid., v. H. p. 205,409,
4. Ibid., V, I, p, 3,33.
5. Supervisors' Record, v. I, p, 3,33,45,46,48.
6. Ibidr, p, 151,153.
- 21 -
Historical' Sketch
be put in a box and placed in the cornerstone. 1 Among the papers and
records placed in the box was a short history of the county, a copy of
v/hich was recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the board of supervi-
sors that was held on the day of laying the cornerstone. It was in this
co\inty history that the result of ttie election held in Kovenber, 19C2,
for the purpose of voting on the jlOO,000 bond issue v;as given. There
was a majority of 167 votes favoring the proposition. 2 Final financial
settlement for completion of the courthouse by t?ie contractor v/as not
made until April 16, 1906, -v/hich v;as almost tv;o years later than the
date fixed in the contract, Vihen the board officially and forr.ially ac-
cepted the three-story brick and stone trimined structure, the cost had
reached approxiiriately ^30,000, v/hich was an excess of j;5,0C0 over the
estimated cost on v;hich the amount of the bond issue had been calculated."^
To tliis county building v/as added further i'.rprovement in 1938, when ''ay
the use of the services of the Federal agency, the 'iVorks Progress (Hork
Projects) Administration, the first floor was cor-ioletel^r remodeled and a
basement Vv'as excavated and finished. Vaults and fireproof storage facili-
ties for county records were installed. The cost of improvement was in
excess of #20,000, which brought the total cost of the present ccurt-
house to more than AOO,OGOo^
Jails
The county records show no action taken on building a county jail
until the September, 1850 term of the county board. At that time a
committee of three was appointed to draft a plan for a jail for Piatt
County; the committee v/as to report on tho fourteenth of the month, but
no report was recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on that date»^
At the Iferch, 1851 term, the board ordered that bids for the construc-
tion of a jail be received. A report of the action ordered was to be
made at the next meeting of the board* At tho June term (1851) the
board ordered that S. L« Swords receive an order for $150 as the first
payment on the jail,^ Alm.ost tliree years later, January, 1854, the
record shows that Swords received another order on the county treasury
for $150 to be paid for the work of jail construction,''' Later the same
year Swords received an order from the board for t'GlO.GO, the balance
in full for building the jail,° This sum and the $300 previously re-
ceived would show that a total of |910.60 was paid the contractor. Ac-
1. Supervisors' Recorc, v. I, p. 195,210.
2. Ibid., 216,217.
3. Ibid., V, I, p. 91-93,315,312,613. See p. 72 on the housing and care
of records for detaileJ cost.
i. Ibid., V. T, p. 303-5,339.
5, Court Record, v. A, p. 184,
o. Ibid., p. 211,217.
7. Ibid., p. 342.
3. Ibid., p. 385.
- 22 -
Historical Sketch
cording to the county board records, this was the first jail built for
the purpose of confining prisoners and persons held in jurisdiction of
the court and awaiting trail in Piatt County, Until the county conformed
with the act of the General Assembly requiring that a jail be maintained
in each county at the seat of justice, ■'• prisoners held by county authori-
ties were confined in the jail at Champaign in the covintj'- adjoining Piatt
on the east, according to the writings of local historians.^ There are
in the v/ritings of local Piatt County historians, data on a first jail
that is said to have been located tvio blocks cact and one north of the
square in Monticello; its dimensions vrere 16 feet sqitnre, and it was
built of hewn logs 12 inches square. It had a log floor and ceiling.
This structure could hardly have been the one built by Swords, the con-
tractor, between 1851 and 1854, The jail now serving the county was erect-
ed in 1903; it has been remodeled from time to time since then. It is a
combination jail and residence for the sheriff.
Matters Governmental and Political
Changes in the Form
of County Government
The structural and administrritivo changes that occurred in the form of
county government between 1818 and 1870 chow an evolution in the functional
aspects of Illinois counties as corporate entities and administrative units
of the state government. The growth of the county economically, politically,
and culturally is reflected in the changes imdc in its governmental struc-
ture. The expansion of powers under the laws of tho state, and the incli-
nation of tho majority of county electorates to exercise them, reveal the
democratic trends of the times. As before stated, the general administra-
tion of tho county was at first vested in the county commissioners' court, ^
consisting of three elected members. There was a growing demand during
the decade of the forties for changes in the Constitution of 1818j the
drift toward popular government had become marked. The old constitution,
designed for a frontier community, had come to be considered inadequate for
a state that had made marked economic and social progress,'* Illinois was
no longer the intellectually provincial Western community of the early
nineteenth century. Institutions of democracy had multiplied; new and com-
plex social conditions Virero developing dno to the impact on rural communi-
ties of growing cities and their induetrialization.^
1, R.L,1827 , p, 246,247,249,
2, Past an5" Present of Piat t County, p, 15,
3, Constitution of 1818, SchcTuTc7~sec, 4; L,1'319 , p, 175,176,
4, The Frontier State , p, 406-9.
5, Ibid,, p, 410,411,
- 23 -
Historical Sketch
With the admission of I.^issouri in 1820 into the Union as a slave
state, more settlers from the New England and Middle Atlantic states be-
gan to occupy northern Illinois, while Southern emigration was directed
to-ward J'issouri. A long and bitter political struggle ensued in Illinois
as in many another frontier state. The need for a new basic lav; was par-
tially the result of that struggle. In April, 1847, Piatt and J'acon coun-
ties jointly elected one delegate to the state constitutional convention
v/hich convened in June at the state capital. 1
The new constitution which vras adopted by the convention, August 31,
1847, and ratified by the electorate of the state, March c, 1848, went
into effect, April 1, 18-i3, It entrusted extensive powers to the people,
both in the election of officers and in the decision of important matters
left to the inliabitants of localities. It also authorized the General
Assembly to provide a general law under which any county might organize
under the to^miship form of government '.'/henever a majority of the voters
of such county at any general election should so detenrdne.^ To the
early county form of government, which v/as that preferred by the state's
immigrants from the South, there was added now the option of local
govei'nment under tovmship organization, or that form of administration
with v/hich immigrants from the New England and I.'iddle Atlantic states
were m.ost familiar. But even for those counties that were to remain
under the administration of the county court system, the form was changed
bjf the nev^ constitution from that of the county commissioners' court to
the newly created county court. 3 The latter was m.ore judicial in its
concept than had been the county copnissioners ' court, as the county
judge sitting alone had civil, criminal, and probate jurisidction; while he
and two justices of the peace sitting together adm.inistered business affairs
of the county. The judge was elected constitutional officer,^ and the
two justices of the peace vrere elected at large from the county. 5
Provision for this county court form of county administration was
set up in the constitution in the article establishing the judiciary
system of the state; I'irtiereas, tjie provision for adoption and creation
of the township-county form of adm.inistration was set up in Article VII,
which dealt -.vith counties, their formation and government. Thus vras
poised in the basic law of Illinois in 1848 two diverse concepts of
local government: one vras the judicial theory of governrent, which v/as
a political recurrence due to t!ie acuteness of the political strugp-les
of the day, and the other v:cs the ir.plsnenting of a deep-seated spirit
of independence and an expansion of the political philosophy of self-
1. L.1847 , p. 24.
2. Constitution of 1348, Art. VII, sec.
3. Ibid., sec. 16-19.
4. Ibid., Art. V, sec. 17.
5. Ibid., sec. 19; L.1849, V), 55,66.
- 24 -
Mistoricai Sketch
government. At best It ras a conpromise which ?»as carried over into some
county governments long after the oolitical issues were dissolved hy a
changed national and state economy.
The only reference in the records of the commissioners' court to
these forces that later convulsed a. young tut powerful nation, and were
at the time carrying its common'/ealthe onvard to the crimson road to war,
was at the J'one, 1847 terra of court when an order v/as issued for the
payment of the Judges and clerks of tho election at vhich the delegate
to the constitutional convention was selected "by the electorate of Piatt
and Macon counties. Tlie silence of the records on these matters belie
the alertness of the people who from this time onward to the outbreak of
the Civil TJar were in a ferment over the course their government was to
travel.^
Iho change from the county commissioners' court was mandatory under
the Constitution of 184£; the county electorate might exercise its option
on adoption of the township-county form of government, which if chosen
carried with it the board of supervisors as the county administrative
body. 2 On February 12, 1849, the General Assembly approved an act estab-
lishing the county court; the act called for holding sui election in
November, 1849, for the piirpose of choosing the county judge, two asso-
ciate justices of the peace, clerk of the co-ontv court, and constables;
also, it established powers and jurisdiction of the court. The last
meeting of the county commissioners' court in Piatt County v/as held in
September, 1849. Judges "-ore appointed at this meeting for three elec-
tion precincts. At the tine the commissioners' court was superseded by
the county court its members were John Hiaghes, C. R. Ward, and P. K. Hull.
James F. Outten was clerk of the court. Commissioner Hull ^as not present
at the covxt's last meeting. ^ On December 3, 1849, the ncv; county court,
the members of v;hich had been selected at the November election, held its
first meeting to "exercise and possess all the nower, jurisdiction, and
authority heretofore conferred by law on the county commissioners' court, "^
The times of the court's meetings were fixed by the act for the first
Monday of December, iiarch, June, and September in every year. The consti-
tutional jurisdiction of the court extended to all probate and such other
jurisdiction as the General Assembly conferred in civil cases, and such
criminal cases as were prescribed by law, where punishment was by fine
only, not exceeding one hundred dollars. ^
1. Court Record, v. A, td. 95.
2. L.1849 . p. 190,202,203; L.1851 , p. 50-52.
5. 1.1849 . p. 62-67.
4. Court Record, v. A, p. 144.
5. L.1849 . p. 65.
6. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 18,19,
- 25 -
Historical Sketch
The court consisted of John Hughes, county judge, and associate
justices John V/instead and Jonathan C. Johnson. Judge Hughes had served
as a member of the last county comr^issioners ' court. Janes F. Outten,
v/ho had been the last clerk of the conunissioners ' court, was now the
elected clerk of the county court. Outten presented his bond for $'.3,000
as required by law and was qualified for the office. The official bonds
of the judges v/ere examined and approved by the court. These v/ere the
first official acts of the nevj court, 1 Although no mention was made of
it in the record of the first meeting of the court, the constitution re-
quired that every person elected or appointed to any office of profit,
trust or emolument, civil or military, legislative, or judicial, under
the government of the state, was required to take in addition to the oath
prescribed by the constitution for the office, an oath swearing or af-
firming that he had not fought a duel, nor sent or accepted a challenge
to fight a duel, the probable issue of v/hich might have been the death
of either party, nor buon a second to either party, nor in any manner
aided or assisted in such duel, nor been knov;'ingly the bearer of such
challenge or acceptance, since the adoption of the constitution, and
that he v/ould not be so engteged oi' concerned, directly or indirectly, in
or about any such duel, during his continuance in office. 2
The court ordered that Dr. Vanfleet be paid five dollars for medical
attendance on a pauper from KcLean County, and J. C. Johnson was allowed
.1p3.62 for the boarding and keep of tVie same pauper for two weeks. A
petition for "a cart road" was received and viewers for the same were
appointed. A report on a projected road leading from Iv^onticello to
Decatur on the east side of the Sangam.on River ivas received. J. C.
Johnson was given an order for $15 for the purpose of furnishing "as
soon as practicable" the circuit court and -the county court of Piatt
County vdth seals and a press. 3 At a special tenri of the court, March 9,
1850, attention vres given to road building and highway maintenance. A
petition was received for a review and location of a county road commenc-
ing on the county road at or near the line of section 34, township 13,
range 6 east, thence east to the county line. The court appointed road
reviev.'ers for the sane. In pursuance of the order that had been issued
at the December term of the court to have a "cart road" viewed, the
court now received report v^hich described the cart road as being neces-
sary to permit Zenobel I'lartino to have a roadvmy from his land to the
road leading from Decatur to L'.iddletovm. The cart road sought would
pass through the lands of Henry and Joseph Phillips for a distance of
about 148 rods. The court heard the objections of the Phillips land own-
ers, who held that the road would pass through their orchard, garden, and
barnyard; this allegation was refuted by the report of the reviewers.
The court overruled the objections and ordered "tiie cart road established
1, Court Record, v. A, p. 150,151,
2, Constitution of 1848, Art, XIII, sec, 26,
3, Court Record, v. A, ?. 151-5^
- 26 -
Historical Sketch
as contemplated." Martino was to pay all costs and damages assessed ac-
cording to law, and the road T?a5 not to exceed 30 feet in width. 1 Over
a period of years the coiu't was occupied -.vith much higliv/aj' construction
of this character.
Coijinty Court Form of Admir.is-
tration in Transition
The county was growing in population: since its organization it had
more than doubled, bein<^- 1,606 by 1850; of this number, 1,587 were native
born whites and 19 foreign born. 2 The development of the county agricul-
turally and increased trojisportr.tion facilities, such as more and better
highwa;^''s, daanged the circvunstances of county government. The county did
not at once exercise its option en adoption of township form of adminis-
tra.tion as provided for in an act of the General Assembly, approved Feb-
ruary 12, 1349, the time when the Isai for establishing the county court
vjas approved. The act required that favorable action on its provisions
would become effective on and after the first Tuesday in April, 1850.3
For ten years, county affairs were administered by the county court.
The general effect of tho changed economy, due to increase in population,
agricultural expansion, and the spreaxi of democratic ideas relative to
local self-government, was to impel the electorate to prefer the township
form of county adrainistration. The law of 1349 specified that the coun-
ty commissioners' court or the co\inty court, whichever was in commission,
could initiate the holding of an election at viiich the question of town-
ship orgcuization wo\ild be submitted to the voters for adoption. A major-
ity of all votes cast for or against township organization was required
to determine the question. 'i This lav; was renealed Febraary 11, 1851, by
the enactment of another law providing for to\7nship organization. Under
the provisions of this act the county court on a petition of fifty voters
of a county, was required to submit to the voters of a county the question
of tovTiship organization. A majority of the legal voters voting at such an
election was required to detenaine the result of such a:i election for or
against the change from the ccirity court system to the township form of ad-
ministration.^
Township Ori;a.,'xization Adopted
At the December, 1359 tern of the covin ty court an abstract of the
vote on township organization v;as ordered recorded in the minutes of the
meeting. The order stated that an election h^id been held in the coun-
1. Court Record, v. A, p. 165,156.
2. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Seventh Census of the United States, 1850 ,
Population .
3. 1.1349 , p. 190,
4. Ibid.
5. L.1351 . p, 35,36,
- 27 -
Historical Sketch
ty on Tuesday, the eighth of November, 1859, to decide v.'hether township
organization should be adopted. The report given was: "For township or-
ganization, 470 votes; against tovmship organization, 194 votes. "-^ The
court appointed at its January, 1860 raeeting three conniissioners to divide
the county into towns preparatory tc township organization. According to
the act of 1851 providing for tovvnship organization, the county would be
governed and subject to the nev;' foriri of administration on and after the
first Tuesday of April next succeeding the election at which the decision
was made. 2 The oominissioners appointed were Janes iJryden of Monticello,
C. D. LCoore of Bement, and Ezra Larquis of Goose Creek. At a special
term of the court held February 25, 1860, '<». T. Foster v/as appointed to
fill the vacancy on t?iC comr:iission caused by the death of James Bryden."^
The report of the conmissioners on division of the county into
townships was recorded in the minutes of the larch, 1860 tern of court.
The comnissioners declared they had made a careful examination of the
county and had given consideration to the relative positions of the sev-
eral settlements in dividing tho county into ei2,ht townships; they judged
thoir work "to be the best division that can bo tc secure the fulfillment
of all the requirements of the law and at the same time meet the wants of
the inhabitants, "4 The report included the clesi/;;nation of the boundaries
of each tovmship and gave the name of each as follows: Blue Piid^o, Goose
Creek, Sangamon, I.-cnticello, Liberty, Bement, Dour;las, and Cerro Gordo,
The Larch term of the court v;as the last held under county form of
administration; it opened Tarch 5, 1860, and continued in session until
April 2, 1860, The record stated that one adjournment was taken until
April 2, but does not state the day of adjournment. The minutes of the
last term of the court indicate that the transactions were in preparation
of the county's affairs for the transfer to tovmship administration. The
items considered and acted upon by the court run from page 588 of volume
B to page 25 inclusive of volume C of the court record. At the opening
of the Larch term. County Judge A. G. Eoyar, and Associate Justices, James
Ater and John LCosgrove wore present. On the last day of the court Asso-
ciate Justice Ater v;as not recorded present. ^ On Kay 28, 1860, "the
board of supervisors met at the courthouse up stairs in the circuit court
room in pursuance of previous notice for a special meeting. "6 Tiie record
was entitled " Piatt County Supervisors' Court." The supervisors present
and the tovmship each represented, vjere John keliza of Dlue hidge Tovmship;
Seth C. Langdon, Goose Creek; i!.lias Hall, 'Jillow Branch; "Jvilliam Cole,
Cerro Gordo; Royal i.itchell, Unity; Caleb D. I'., core, Bomcnt; Vvilliam
1, Court Record, v, B, p. 572,573,
2. L.1851 , p. 35,36.
5. Ibid., p. 578, 58i.
4. Ibid., p. 624-27.
5, Ibid., p. 588,636; Co>a:ity Court Record - Lav;, v. C, p,
G, County Court Record - Law, v, C, p, 26,
p
- 28 -
Historical Sketch
Motherspaw, Monticello, and Ananias B.. Knott, Sangamon. Reuben Bowman,
sheriff, (xnd Wilson F. Cox, countj/ clerk, also were in attendance. The
meeting was opened by proclamation of the sheriff, and on motion of C. D.
Moore of Bement Township, Elias Hall of Willow Branch Township, was unan-
imously chosen chairman of the board of supervisors.!
The names of two of the eight townships appearing in this record
were not so given in the list of names by which the;/ were designated by
the commissioners who divided the county into towTiships. The record of
the change of the name of Liberty Township to that of Willow Branch was
made at the first meeting of the board of supervisors, and for that rea-
son Elias Hall was recorded as representing Willow Braaich and not Liberty. '^
The name of Douglas Township had already been changed to Unity by the time
of the first and special meeting of the board, but no record of the chaJige
appeared in the minutes. The names of the townships remain the same at
the time of this writing as they were in 1860.
Administration by Board
of Supervisors
Tlie board authorized the county clerk to order from the Secretary
of State eighty copies of Haines' "Laws of Illinois relating to Township
Organization," The clerk was given an order on the county treasurer for
the sum of twelve dollars "to pay the difference between the publisher's
price ajid the price which the Secretary of State is author! Z3d to pay for
said laws, and that the said clerk of the county court forward said sum as
soon as dravm from the treasurer, "3 On motion of Supervisor Moore, compen-
sation of the supervisors was sot at two dollars per day attending neetings
of the board. Compensation for the services of the county clerk while at-
tending meetings of the board was set at three dollars per day.^
At this time there was evidence of growing opposition to the li-
censing of taverns to sell intoxicating beverages. The board of supervi-
sors at its first meeting rejected by a vote of four to one, the peti-
tion of Thomas W. McMillan for a license for him "to retail ardent spir-
its for a period of six months in less quantities than one gallon in the
American House in Bement, Illinois." Supervisor Moore of Bement made
some remarks in opposition to the granting of the license, "alleging that
a majority of the citizens of Bement were opposed to having a licensed
grocery or drinking saloon in their town, "5 This action was in contrast
to the order of the county court at the September, 1856 term granting a
license to J, C. Johnson to retail all kinds of spiritous liquors in his
1. Couiity Court Record - Law, v. C, p. 26.
2. Ibid., p. 29,
3. Ibid., p. 26.
4. Ibid,, p. 38.
5. Ibid., p. 33.
- 29 -
Historical Sketch
f
tavern in Monticello for the period of one year. Johnson was required
to pay a fee of $50.00 before receiving the license. 1 Tavern rates were
set by the court early in the history of the county. No person was per-
mitted to enter into a merchandising business without a license from the
covaity commissioners. A fee of $5.00 was charged for such a license.
Terri'es were established on the rivers, end licenses were granted by the
county administrative body, which fixed the rates of ferriage. At the
March, 1853 term the court ordered that a license be granted to anyone
who would accept the same and keep a ferry across the Sangamon River at
or near the "Old River bridge." The rate of toll was as follows: For
footman, five cents; for man and one horse, ten cents, and for two hor-
ses and wagon or carriage, twenty-five cents. The court obligated it-
self to purchase the ferry should a bridge be built across the river
nooX the ferry within five years from the date the license to operate
v/as granted. 2
In addition to their special duties as township supervisors, the
members of the county board were specifically charged with certain covn-
ty responsibilities: among these were the care of the poor and the
management of the county poorhouse and farm, the audit of the accounts
of tovm officers and the examination of the assessment rolls of the sev-
eral townships, and the appropriation of funds to aid in the construc-
tion of roads and bridges in any part of the ccanty, vrhenever a majority
o:? the v.'hole bo.ard deemed it proper and expedient. 3 Among the many ad-
ministrative duties that devolved upon to\m officers in the administrp,-
tion of IocdI affairs were overseeing the poor, maintenance of highv/pys
in the road districts of the tovmships, and maintenance of pounds for
stray animals. The structure of town government was after the manner of
locrl government in use in the New England stn.tes. In fact the law pro-
vided for the inauguration of town meetings. ^
An Historical Political Episode
IXiring the first years of the county's history, Abraham Lincoln of
Springfield often came to Monticello as a lawyer, practicing before the
couxt there. In 1855, during the presidential election campaign,
Lincoln was scheduled to speak in the courthouse. So unpopular was the
cause which Lincoln represented - that of the new Republican Party - that
only two men could be found who v/ould v/alk with him from the hotel to the
courthouse. These men were Ezra Mar qui s, Sr., and Joseph Guy, who carried
the flag of the Union. The speaking began with these two men for an audi-
ence; gradually, however, the number increased until the courthouse v;as near
ly full* During the senatorial campaign of 1858, a very different meeting
1. Court Record, v. A, p. 486 .
2. Ibid., p. 303.
3. L.1B51 , p-. 51.
4. Ibid., p. 38,39.
- 30 «
Historical Sketch
awaited the onetime backwoodsman when he returned to Monticello: he had
become a statesman of national prominence. Lincoln was the Republicaai
candidate for the United States Senate, and was opposed by Senator Stephen
A. Douglas, Democrat. Delegations from Champaign, De Witt, and Piatt
counties numbering about 5,000 persons met Lincoln yjho came from Bement
by carriage to the coTinty seat. Douglas, v:ho spoke before the arrival of
Lincoln, and knew that his opponent was to follow him in the afternoon, met
Lincoln on the road about one mile south of Monticello. From his carrijige
Douglas called to Lincoln and protested his following hinit Lincoln pro-
posed joint meetings and they accordingly arranged to meet later at Bement
at the home of F, E. Bryant. This latter meeting between Lincoln and
Douglas resulted in arrangemants for the series of joint debates, which
later became famous in the annals of American hi story. 1
Public sentiment in the county had changed considerably in two years.
In 1856 the people would scarcely pause in their work to look at Lincoln,
while in 1858 they literally carried him in their axms. A Lincoln;'J)ouglas
monuments was erected to mark the spot where "The Great Emancipator" and
the "Little Giant" met and proposed their joint discussions of the politi*
cal issues of their campaign. The inscription on the marker reads! "Here
on July 29, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas first agreed to
meet in Joint debate in Illinois." The monument was dedicated on the si»-
tieth anniversary of the meeting and was unveiled in the presence of rep-
resentatives of the State Historical Society and two thousand people who
gathered in honor of the martyred President i^o was a master of political
science and the man y^o defeated him for the United States Senate.
The County's Response to the
Nation's Call to Arms
When Lincoln was President of the United States ajad the nation was
engaged in the Civil War, Piatt County sent 1,055 soldiers out of a
population of 6,124 to support the cause of the Union. The average en-
rollment for the state was 100 soldiers for every 742 inhabitants, while
Piatt County gave 100 men for every 580 inhabitants. Early in the war,
the county issued bonds and borrowed money with v^.ich to caxe for the
families of the volunteers at the front. 3 The board of supervisors. May
2, 1861, ordered that "the supervisor of each tov/nship be a committee,"
whose duty it was to provide necessary support for the families of sol-
diers from his township in the service of the United States, and that
the Reasonable expenses incurred in providing for such families be paid
by the county. 4 a special war tax of twenty-five cents for every $100
worth of property was subsequently levied for the support of the fani-
!• History of Piatt Couiity . p. 146,
2* For illustration of monvunent, see cover.
3. Past and Present of Piatt County , p. 18,19.
4. County Court Record - Law, v. C, p. 132.
Historical Sketch
lies of Union soldiers # This tax Ir.ter reached five mills on the
dollar, •'■
That Piatt County -was represented in the War with Ifexico, 1846-47,
has been established by the county's historians. There is no reference
in the administrative records of tho county's participation in the -war.
However, the name .t^iven to tho county's next most populous tovmship, and
to a settlement that is now a toim, Cerro Gordo, had its origin in the
battle fought at the Mexican tovm of that name. One of the tales told
of its origin is that a Colonel V/illiams, one of the large land ovmers
in the eastern part of the tovmship during pioneering days, bore the
sobriquet, "Cerro Gordo," on account of the valor that characterized his
conduct in the battle of that name. The county's military record in sup-
port pf the country's wars that have followed the Civil War has been one of
patriotism and self-sacrifice. The methods of support and prosecution of
the Spanish-^'jiierican War and Y.'orld War vrere different and required con-
formity to a iii.ore centralized control and a wider observance of Federal
authority; nonetheless, Piatt County did its part with honor in devotion
to the principles which wore proclaimed as the motive for resort to arms.
Economic Development
Population
The population of the county reached its peak v;hen the census of
1900 reported 17,706 persons living v;ithin its limits, which vjas an in-
crease of 644, or 3.8 percent over the previous census figures of 1890.
Of the total population, 16,981 were of native white parentage. There
were 44 Negroes and 681 irfaite persons of foreign birth. The census of
1930 gave the county a population of 15,588, vjhich vfiis a decrease of 126
persons from the population in l';)20."^
Resources
The county being predominantly agricultural in industry, the chief
vrealth of its people is in land. In 1920, 90.8 percent of the 288,640
acres was in farms; in 1925 tho percentage was 87.9; in 1930 the percen-
tage v;as 91,9, and in 19?'lj it was 92,3. The number of farms declined
from 1,386 in 1920 to 1,348 in. 1935. There was an increase of 53 farms
from 1930 to 1935.^ The value of farm property, including land and
1. County Court Record - Law, v. C, p. 342,519; Supervisors' Record, v. D,
p, 8-12.
2. T welfth Census of the United States : 1900, v. I, Population (Washington.
I901), p. 128.
3. U. S. Bureau of Census, F ifteenth Census of the United States, 1930,
Population Bulletin, First Scries, Illinois, Number and Distribution
of Inhabitan ts, p. 30.
4» Farm, Home ard Comir.unity, p. 4,
- 32 -
Historical Sketch
buildings, declined from $40,325,923 in 1930 to #30,475,684 in 1935.^
The average nunbor of acres per farm in 1935 was 199, In 1920 tho aver-
age farm acreage v.'as 1S9, vrtaich increased to 205 by 1930. Of the total
number of farms in 1930, 1,143 iTOre operated by tenants, and 416 were
owner opera ted, 2 Of the owner operated farms in 1930, 50,6 percent were
mortgaged, and the average mortgage debt per farm for the same year was
$11,733, The average mortgage debt per acre in the county was $70, The
average tax on land and buildings per acre of the same year ivas $1,93,
The value of farm land in the county averagod vl24,6o per acre in 1930."^
Transportation
In 1856 the first railroad v.-ns constructed in the county, running
east and west through Bement and Cerro Gordo townships; this was the
Chicago and Paducah, In January, 1854, the county court vjas requested
by a petition of citizens to call an election to have the electorate
authorize the purchase of $50,000 vrorth of stock in a railroad to run
through the county. This election was to be held February 25, 1854, Tho
road to be constructed was the "Northern Cross Railroad and Transporta-
tion Conpany leading from Decatur in Facon County via yonticello to or
near Danville in Vermilion County," Tho condition on vrh5ch the stock was
to be purchased yitxs that the railroad make Monticello a point on said
road and that a station be constructed within one-half mile of the original
Gtirvey of the to^vn, The rojord does not state the result of this election,
but at the L'arch, 1854 term, the court authorized payment for services of
judges of the election held on February 25.^ The total mileage of steam
railroads in the county cane finally to be 58,54, There are 810.52 miles of
vehicular highways in the county.
Conclusion
After almost one hundred years of separate county cxistcncv5, Fiatt
County is comparable in economic well-being, and in political and social
stability to the average of Illinois agricultural communities. It is neither
at the top of tho pyramid of such counties nor at tho base, considering the
poorest as the apex and the best of the state as the base. Slightly more
than half of the county's farms vrere mortgaged in 1930 and almost one half
of the land value per acre was mortgaged. Schools have not gone backward,
though teachers' pay in some classes is not liigh enough to be commended as
compensation for such important educational service. Evidences are that the
basic institutions of the oounty are sound, and public and social services
have been maintained at a level consistent with income.
1, Department of Commerce, Earn Census Report for Illinois (Washington:
Bureau of the Census, 1935), pt 2.
2, "Survey of Illinois," Census data (to 1935) broken down by counties by
Planning Division of State Planning Board (Chicago: Illinois Planning
Commission), Table B, (Tj-ped)
3, Farm, Homo and Community , p, 78.
4, Court Record, v. A, p, 342-45, 381,
(First entry, p. 95)
2. GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION Alffi RECORDS SYSTEM
Introduction
The county in Illinois is a corporate body^ and an administrative
unit of the state; its governmental organization is at all times lF.rgely
an expression of this dual nature.
The growth of the county as a hody politic is reflected, in each of
the state's three constitutional periods, in a progressive expansion of
the powers which ms.y hy law he exercised hy the county hoard, and in the
creation of new, and the extension of existing, county offices. The latter
phase of growth in Piatt County and in others similarly organized at
present, has also been affected hy the adoption of township organization,
which for the first time constituted the civil towns as an additional
level of government.
An ejialogous development appears in the state's invasion of new fields
of government and the extension of the county's role as its agent. Orig-
inally, the county performed but a single important function for the state,
that of collecting its she.re of the taxes levied within the coxinty. Since
then, however, education, public health, registration of vital statistics,
public assistance, and many similar if less important matters have entered
the province of state control or supervision. To effect this control, new
governmental units, subcounty districts of various types, have come into
existence or have been converted to new purposes; the county, because of
its intermediate position, has become more important as a mediiun of that
control.
Thus the complete operation of county government in Illinois brings
into play a n-umber of partly distinct authorities. Their relationships,
at any time, are complex. The changing governmental organization of Piatt
County, therefore, is easiest traced from the viewpoint of the major
functions of county government.
General Administration
General administrative jurisdiction over covinty business has always
been vested in the county board. Under the first constitution, for all
counties, the county commissioners' court acted as the county board. 2 It
was expressly declared to have no original or appellate jurisdiction in
1. R.L.1827 , p. 107; R.S.1845 , p. 130; R.S.1874 . p. 306.
2. Constitution of 1818, Schedule, sec. 4; L.1819, p. 175,176.
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Governner.tal Organization
anl Records System
civil or criminaJ. actions, bwt had all power necessary to the exercise
of its jurisdiction in cases concerning the public affairs of the county
collectively.! The commissioners were constitutional officers, 2 and
elected; 3 the court existed solely by statutory provision.^ Attached
to it in a, ministerial capacity was the independent statutory office
of clerk of the county commissioners' court, -^ at first filled at the
appointment of the court, ^ later by election.'
Under the second constitution, the newly created county court suc-
ceeded to the position of the county commissioners' court. 3 As an ad-
ministrative body, 9 it was composed of the county Judge, an elected, con-
stitution?! officer, 10 and two .justices of the peace, elected at large. ^
Another ncv/ office, that of clerk of the county court, v/as created to pro-
vide it v/ith a ministerial officer; the clerk also v/as elected. 12
The Constitution of 1843 also made provision, for the first time,
for an optional form of county government. 13 ij^e subsequent enabling
actsl^r provided that whenever the voters of a co^anty mi^ht so determine,
that county should adopt tovmshin organization; one of the principal re-
sults of such a change vas to alter the form of the county board.15 piatt
County so elected in 1859 and in 1850 the countj'- court was succeeded by
a board of supervisors, conposed of members elected, one in each of the
severed tov/nships.l^ njie clerk of the county court was required by
lav; to pjzt as the ministerial officer of the new coijinty board. 1''' In
1. L.1819 , p. 175.
2. Constitution of 1318, Schod'ole, sec. 4.
3. L.1819 . p. 99; 1.1821 , p. 80; L.1837 , p. 103,104.
4. L.1819 . p. 175.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. L.1857 , p. 49; L.1845 , p. 28.
8. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 19; L.1849 , p. 65.
S. Hie county coxirt was also a court of lav/. For its jTirisdiction as
such, see Administration of Justice, Court s, p. 39.
10. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 17.
11. Ibid., sec. 19; L.1849 , p. 55,66.
12. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 19; L.1849 , p. 53.
13. Ibid., Art. VII, sec. 6.
14. The original enabling act of 1349 ( L.1&49 , p. 190-224) was repealed
t\io years later by a more comprehensive but essentially similar law
( L.1851 . p. 35-78).
15. Other effects of the change, within the sphere of county government
proper, appear with regai'd to tho taxation proced\ire. See Finances,
p. 36.
16. Constitution of 1848, Art. 711, sec. 6; L.1831 , p. 38,50-52;
Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 5,
17. L.1849, p. 203; L.1851, p. 52.
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Governmental Organizp.tion
and Records System
1872, however, that clerk was replaced hy a new officer, the county clerk,
whose office had "been created and made elective, by the third constitution,!
and who was required by law to act as ministerial officer for the coimty
hoard. 2 Another significant change in the form of the county hoard has
"been the addition to its membership of assistant supervisors, elected
from the various towns on the basis of population; 3 the assistant super-
visors have no powers or duties as town officers, but are members of the
coxinty board and as such enjoy the sajne powers and rights as other members. -
The Constitution of 1870 also provided a new form of co\inty board in
counties not under township organization. This board was to be composed
of three officers, styled commissioners, who would transact all county
business as provided by law,^ Subsequent legislation granted to the board
of county commissioners all powers and duties formerly exercised by the
county court when acting in its administrative capacity. 6 These laws were
ineffective in Piatt since this co\inty has retained township organization
since its institution in 1860.
Concurrent with the changing organization of the county board is an
expansion of its functions without, however, considerable extension beyond
the original jurisdiction conferred upon the county commissioners' court.
The authority of that body extended to the imposition and regulation of
taxes,? a limited but increasing management of county property, ^ and a
growing fiscal control, stringent in regard to ta:c collections," sporadic
in its check on the expenditures of other county offices. ■'■'^ The court ad-
ditionally had power to appoint Judges of election, ^-l select Juries, 12 and,
with limitations, to provide for the construction and maintenance of roads
and bridges. 13 Poor relief ^^ p.nd a tentative supervision of education^^
also fell within its general administrative jurisdiction.
1. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 8.
2. H.S.1874 , p. 322.
3. Ibid., p. 1080; L.1925. . p. 605; L.1929 , p. 774; L.1931 , p. 905-10;
L.1953, p. 1115,1116.
4. R.S.1874 . p. 1080.
5. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 6.
6. 1.1873-74 , p. 79.
7. L.1819 , p. 175.
8. Ibid., p. 237,238; L. 1842-43 , p. 128.
9. L.1819 , p. 238,318; L.1S23 , p. 208; R.L.1827 . p. 373,375; R.L.1829 ,
p. 121; L. 1842-43 , p. 112; L.1845 , p. 11,12.
10. R.L.1827 , p. 366; L.1831 , p. 175.
11. L.1819 , p. 90.
12. Ibid., p. 255; L.1823 , p. 182.
13. Either by calling on the able-bodied men of the county for labor, or
by raising bond issues by subscription ( L.1819 , p. 333, 334, 336, 337, 343;
L.1821 , p. 167; L.1825 . p. 130-33).
14. L.1819 , p. 127; L.ie39 . p. 138,139.
15. R.S. 1845, p. 500,501.
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G-overnnental Organization
and P.eccrds System
The effect of subsequent legislation, in the main, has only teen to
broaden that jurisdiction. The county board has been ^iven full power to
purchase, contract for, dispose of, and make regulations concerning all
real and personal property of the county, ^ It is now required also to
audit all claims against the county and the accounts of such officers as
'•■ere not provided for by law. 2 Otherwise, the changes in form of the
county board in Piatt County have not materiall" affected the general
adainistrative jurisdiction of that body.*^
Finances
In Illinois counties, there has al^'ays been a close relationship be-
tween the taxation processes and fiscal control. This circxinstance, as
well as frequent evidence of the county board's ultimate control in such
matters, appears in a resume of the legal status and duties of the ofiicc-^rs
involved.
Taxation
The assessment function in taxation was delegated by the first General
Assembly to the county treasurer, a statutory officer appointed by the county
commissioners' court. 4 The adcinistrative body, vfithin statutory limits,
fixed the amount of the levy, while the veilue of many categories of real and
personal property was fixed by law; hoT/ever, a limited discretion was left
to the assessing officer. 5 In 1^25 assessments were r.adt? by the county as-
sessor, also an appointee of the county commissioners' coiort.^ This duty
reverted to the county treasurer in 1827 and continued to be vested in that
office vjitil 1639, when the General Assembly provided for the appointment
by the county commissioners' court of district assessors, not to exceed one
in every justice's district." Tlie earlier system was reestablished in 1844,
with the treasiirer, however, novr having the status of ex-officio county
1. L.1849 . p. 202; L.1851 . p. 50,51; 1.1861 . v. 235.255; H.S.1874 . p. 306,
507; L.1911 . p. 245,246; L.1925 . p. 304,305; L.1957 . r. 453,454.
2. L.1849 . p. 202; L.1851 . p. 51; R.S.1874 . p. 307; L.1935 . p. 299.
o. Cf. this running summary with H.S.1S74 , p. 305,307. and 5.5.1957 .
p. 910-12.
4. L.1819 . p. 315.
5. Ibid., p. 313,319; L.1825 . p. 173; L.1859 . p. 4-3; L.l84r . p. 4;
L.1845 . p. 6.
6. L.1825 . p. 173.
7. R.L.1827 . p. 330.
6. L.1839. p. 4,
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Governmental Organization
and Records System
assessor. 1 Since 1850, the date of the institution of township organisation
in Piatt County, the assessment function has been performed on the lower
governmental level hy town assessors, elected one in each township. S Today,
the principa-1 duties of the assessing officers, taken together, are to
bring up to date each year the periodic assessment of real property, to take
current lists of, and appraise personal property and special categories of
other property. 3 The treasurer now has the status of ex-officio supervisor
of assessments.'*
Before the creation of a board of review the functions which today fall
within its scope were perfoi"med, in substajice, by various officers. In the
first constitutional period, it was left to interested individuals or
parties to report property omitted from assessment; the county commission-
ers' court could hear a.ppeals from e,s3(3ssment5, but there was no provision
for their equalization by districts.^ During the second constitutional
period, appeals, in Piatt County, wore made to the county court. 6 After
the institution of township organization in 1860, town boards were emjjowered
to review the assessments within their OAvn j\irisdiction, and the county
board was required to meet annually to assess omitted property, review
assessm.ents upon compla,int, ejid eq\ia,lize valuations betv/een towns.''' In
1898 this authority of the county board was transferred to the newly
created board of review, composed of the chairmaji of the county board as
ex-officio chairmaji, the county clerk as ex-officio clerk, snA. an addition-
al member appointed by the coxiiity judge. 8 In 1933 the county clerk was
replaced by another member appointed by the coionty Judge; 9 the board of
review now appoints its o\7n clerk. 1*-*
The collection function was originally performed in all counties by
the sheriff, an elected constitutional officer. H Its nature has chpjiged
little since that time. Essentially, the collecting officer collects taxes
1. L.1843 , p. 231.
2. L.1849 , p. 192; L.1851 , p. 38; L. 1871-72 , p. 20-24.
3. L.1853 , p. 16,17; L. 1371-72 , p. 11,14,15,19,23; L.1873 , p. 51; L.1879 ,
p. 241-45; L.1881 , p. 133,134; L.1885, p. 234; L.1895 , p. 300,501;
L.1905 . p. 360; L.1915 , p. 558; L.i923 . p. 495,500; L. 1931-32 , Pirst
Sp. Sess., p. 69.
4. L.1896 , p. 36-44.
5. L.1819 , p. 316; R.L.1827 , p. 330; L.1839 . p. 7; L.1845 , p. 8.
6. L.1849 , p. 65.
7. L.1851 , p. 56,57; L. 18 71-72 . p. 21,22,24,25.
8. L.1898 , p. 46.
9. L.1923 , p. 496; L.1932 . First Sp. Sess., p. 71,72.
10. L.192? . p. 496,497.
11. Constitution of 1818, Art. Ill, sec. 11; L.1319, p. 315.
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Govermie.-.trl Organization
and P.eoordr. System
according to inforra-ition originating outside his jurisdiction, •^-^ys over
such s-.TBis to authorities designated by statute to receive then, and re-
ports on payments of taxes and delinquencies.! In 1839, by a developncnt
analogous to that which occurred with regard to assessnients, the county
board* s control was extended to enable it to appoint a regular county col-
lector. 2 Soon after, the law reverted to the earlier situation, v/ith the
sheriff acting as ex-officio collector.^ !!!his situation continued until
Piatt Coujity adopted township organization v.'hen town collectors were elec-
ted, one in each tov/nship.'i end the county treasurer b-^came ex-officio
county collector.^ The town officers paid over their collections direct-
ly to the co'iiity officer, and supplied the basic information for the l:-,t-
ter' s svmmpxy report of collections in the county. 6 in 1917 the tOMn
office 01 collector was abolished in counties the size of Piatt, ond the
coijnty collector bcccjne ex-officio tov.-n collector, assiming ell duties
previously resigned to the latter officer.?
Coordination of the taxation processes has always been effected by
the co-oiity clerk or his predecesso'rs. The assessment books axe made out
by the clerk, end. returned to hi-n by the assessor; similarly, the collec-
tor reports on collections on delinquent property; finally, the treas-
larer' s receipts to the collector for taxes paid come into his possession,
and the centralization of records concerning the basic tgjcation procedure
is ccKrplcted.°
Fiscrl Control
The fiduciary function in county finances is performed by the comity
treasurer alone. The duties of the office have remained substantially the
same since its croa.tion; r.fjncly, to receive, principally from the collectors
of ta;:cos, the revenue of the county; to have custody of its funds; and to
1.
L.1819, p. 316-18; 1.1821, p.. 182,133; H.L.1827, p. 332,335; R.L.1829,
p. 121-23; L.1831, p. 125; P.. L. 1837, p. 581,582; L.1839, p. 7-12;
L.13'13, p. 234; L.1845, p. 11; 1.1847, o. 81; L. 1871-72, p. 55,57,58.
2.
L. 16 33-39, p. 7.
3.
L.1843, p. 234; effective in 1844.
4.
L.1G49, p. 192; L.1851. p. 38.
5.
L.1853, p. 67.
6.
L. 1871-72, V, 41,5G.57.
7.
L.lGl?, p. 793.
8.
L.1819, V. 317; R.L.1827, p. 373;. E.L. 1837, p. 582; L.1839, p. 8-12;
L.1340, p. 3; L.1845, p. 9,11; L.1853, p. 71,111; L. 1871-72, -o. 32,
34,35,43,55-58; L.187&-74, p. 51; L.1911, p. 485; L.1917, p. 654;
L.1919, p. 765; L.1931, p. 747.
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Governmental Organization
and Records System
disburse funds only on specific authorization by law, or in accordance vdth
the order of the county board, ■'• Through this last requirement, and that of
the treasurer to report periodically to the board on the transactions of his
office, in addition to his regular settlement vnth it, the lines of finan-
cial authority once moro lead to the county board, ^
Administration of Justice
Courts
Justice, in Illinois countios, has been adrdni stored by a constantly
increasing number of bodies. The Constitution of 1818 vested the jiAdicial
powers of the state in a Supreme Court and such inferior courts as the
General Assembly should ordain and establish; required the Supreme Court
justices to hold circuit courts in the several countios; and provided for
the appointment, in such manner and with such po^vers and duties as the
General Assembly should direct, of a competent njj:Tibcr of justices of the
peace in each county,^
Federal statutes already allowed circuit courts, in all states, juris-
diction over the naturalization of aliens;^ the first state legislature ad-
ditionally conforrod jurisdiction over all causes at common law and chancery
and over all cases of treason, felony, and other crimes and misdcncc.v: rs.^
The legislature further required that two terms of a circuit court bo held
in oach county amiually by one of the Supreme Court justices, 6 but in 1824,
provision was made for the holding of circuit courts by separate circuit
court judges, to be appointed, as were the Supreme Court justices, by both
branches of the General Assembly, and to hold office during good behavior, 7
In 1827 the General Assembly repealed the 1324 law, and again provided for
circuit courts to bo held by Supremo Court justices o^ At the next session
1.
L,1819, p. 315,316; R.S.1845, p. 158; Lel861, p. 239; E,S,1874, p. 523,
324,
2.
L.1819, p. 318; RoL,1837, p, 582,583; L„1845, p. 33; R.S,1845, p. 138,
139; L,1861, p. So9,,240; RoSol847, p. 232,524,
3.
Constitution of 1818, Art, IV, sec, 1,4,8,
4.
2 U.S.S.L. 153-55.
5,
L,1819, p, 380,
6.
Ibid,, p. 378,
7.
L»1824, p, 41, The Constitution of 1818, which had required that
Supreme Court justices be appointed by the general Assembly, further
provided that they should not, after the first session of the legisla-
ture subsequent to January 1, 1824, hold circuit courts unless required
to do so by lav; (Art, IV, sec, 4),
8. R.L,1827, po 118,119.
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Governmental Organization
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of the legislature, when a new circuit was established, provision v/as
made for zho a?)pointnicnt of a circuit judge to act therein.! At that
tine, therefore, the circuit oourts were held by Supremo Court justices
in fovjT judicial circuits and by a circuit judge in the fifth. 2 A chrnge
was mci.e agrin in 1835, when power to hold circuit courts was t?Jcen av;ry
from the Supreme Court justices rnd provision was a^vde for the fg)point-
mor.t cf five circuit judges, in rddition to the one rlready authorized, to
hold circuit courts.*^ The six judicial circuitn existing at that tine
wore s^tpplemented during the next few yc-^xs by the creation of new cir-
cuits, ^ so that they numbered nine in 1841 when the office of circuit
judge v;a3 again abolished and the Supreme Ccort justices, also incresLsed
to nine, were required to hold circviit courts.^
Tlie authority of justices of the peace was limited by law to j-oris-
diction in specified civil cases and in raisdcmesnors, with etopeals allov/ed
from thoir iudgmonts to the circuit court. 6 The power of appointTicnt, the
legislature at first reserved to itself;''' in 1827, hovrover, justices of the
pease v;cre required to bo elected,- tw in each of such districts as should
be dotornined v/ithin statutory limits by the county commissioners' court. ^
J-'jTis diction over probate matters w-?j at the outset deloe;atcd to the
county commissioners' court. 9 By act of the next General Assembly, it was
transferred to the court of probate, •'•^ consisting in each county of one
judge apiJOinted by the General Assembly. ^^ As a rosxilt of the substitution
in 1837 of probate justices cf the peace for the judges of probate, 12 juris-
diction over probate matters for the first time was placed in the hands of
elected officers. 13
1. P..L.1829 , p. 38.
2. Ibid., p. 42,48.
3. 1.1835 , p. 150.
4. L.1357 , p. 113; L. 1833-39 , p. 155.
5. L. 184-1 . p. 173.
6. L.1319 , p. 185,192,195.
7. Ibid., p. 22.
3. P..L.1827 , p. 255,256. Since 1821, however, the county commissioners'
court heA been required to establish such districts, which also conr-
stituted general election precincts ( L.1821 , p. 74). For changes in
the statutory limitations of this pov/er of the court, see R.L.1827 ,
p. 255, and H.L.1829 , p. 93.
9. L.1S19 . p. 223-33.
10. L.iaa , p. 121.
11. Ibid., p. 119. The Constitution of 1818 (Art. IV, sec. 4) had also
dcsi;^iatcd this manner of election for judges of all inferior coui-ts.
12. L.1B37 , p. 175,177.
13. Tl^e Constitution of 1818 (Art. lY, sec. 8) had reserved to the General
Assembly the right to prescribe the manner of eppointmont of justices
of tlio peace.
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Governmental Organization
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The county court ■was the creation of the second constitution,-'- which
also made circuit judges elected officers.^ With regard to the new court,
it Twas further provided by lav: that it should he held in each county by a
single elected officer, the coimty Judge. ^ Its authority vjas extended to
jurisdiction in all probate iTiatters, and to such jurisdiction in civil and
criminal cases as might be conferred by the General Assembly.^ In pursu-
ance of this latter provision, the county court Tvas first given the same
civil and criminal jurisdiction as justices of the peacej^ at the second
session of the General Assembly, however, it ■was declared that county
judges -when exercising this jurisdiction, acted only in the capacity of
justices of the peace." Until the next constitutional period, the coun-
ty court, as such, -was given jurisdiction only in a limited number of spe-
cial actions;' it -was hoxvever, considered entitled to equal jurisdiction
vdth the circuit court over naturalization.^ In this same period, pro-
vision ivas made for increasing, on the basis of population, the number of
justices of the peace to be elected in each district. In Piatt Coun-by, and
others similarly organized, one additional justice of the peace is now
elected for every one thousand inhabitants exceeding •two thousand inhabi-
tants in each tovm.^
Provision \ms first made by the Constitution of 1870 for the establish-
ment by the General Assembly of an independent probate court in each county
having a population of more than fifty thousand inhabitants. 10 As first
established by statute, the new courts ■were to be formed in counties of one
hundred thousand or more inhabitants . ^1 This population requirement vi&s
lowered to seventy thousand in 1881.12 ihg population of Piatt County not
having reached this- figure, jurisdiction over probate matters has continued
1, Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 1,16.
2, Ibid., Art. V, sec. 7,15.
3. Constitution of 1848, Art, V, sec. 17.
4, Ibid., Art. V, sac. 18,
5. L.1849, p. 65.
6. Ibid,, Second Sess., p, 15,
7. L.1849 , p. 65,66; L.1853, p. 105; L.1861, p. 171,172.
8, 2 U,S,S,L. 155.
9« L.1854 , p. 30. No more than five justices, ho^wever, may be elected
from any town or election precinct.
10. Constitution of 1870, Art. VI, sec. 20.
11. L.1877 , p. 79,80.
12. L.1881, p. 72. In 1933, the act of 1877 was further amended to make
the extablishment of an independent probate court mandatory in counties
having a population of eighty-five thousand or more, and optional in
counties having population of between seventy thousand and eighty-
five thousand (L.1933, p. 458).
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Srvornraental Organization
aiid Records System
to be vostod in the county court in accordance v.'ith constitutional pro-
vision to that effect. 1 Tlic county court, early in this period, T"as ,~iven
concurrent jui'isdiction "-ith the circuit court in apTjeals from Justices of
the peace;2 its original jurisdiction \rps extended to to equal with th^t
of the circuit court in all that class of c-ser-, cognizr-blc "by justices of
the peace^ and involving in controversy sums not exceeding $500.'^ In 19C6,
ho«^ever, it lost its natijiralization jurisdiction since it failed to meet
the additional requirement of federal legislation that it possess jurisdic-
tion at law T.'ithout limitation upon araounts in controversy. 5 The present
constitution, also, for the first time, directed the miinner in viiich the
General Assemoly should establish judici^il circuits, requiring that circuits
be formed of contiguous couitie;: and that they should not exceed in numbor
one circuit for every one hvaidrod thousi-nd of population of the state. "^
At present there are eighteen circuits in Illinois, and Piatt County is
attached to the sixth circuit. "i*
Clerks of Courts
Tne clerk of the circuit court iinder the Constitution of 1618, was
to te appointed by a majority of the justices ox that court. 8 Since 1849,
hon'ever, by provisions of the constitutions of 1848 and 1870, the office
has been filled by election.-' The office of clerk of fne county court,
wlaich was an independent elective office under the second constitution, 10
is no'"? filled in an ex-officio capacity by the ccinty clerkll who is also
required by constitutional provision to be elected. 12 The county commis-
sioners' court, wnich for a brief period held j-'jirisdiction over probate
natters, had its omi clerk who 'vas at that time appointed by the court. l^
Probate judges and justices of the peace rrho subsequently held probate
j-orisdiction, were required to act as their cvti clerks. 14 With the trans-
fer of probate jurisdiction to the co^unty court, the clerk of the county
1. Constitution of 1870, Art. VI, sec. 18; L.1B77 . p. 80; 1.1831 . p. 72.
2. 5.5.1874 , p. 340; L.1877 . p. 77; L.1895 . p. 212,223.
3. Tlie jurisdiction of justices has also been prorTressively increased
during this period. See L.1871-72 . p. 534; 1.1895 , p. 139,190; 1.1^17 .
p. 562,563; L.1923 . u. 541,542.
4. L. 1871-73 . p. 325.
5. 34 U.S.S.L. 596.
6. Constitution of 1870, Art. VI, sec. 13.
7. L.1933 . p. 435.
8. Constitution of 1818, Art. 17.
9. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 21,29; Constitution of 1870, Art. X,
sec. 8.
10. Constitution of 1848, Art. V,
11. H.S.1874 . p. 260.
12. Constitution of 1870, Art. X,
13. L.1819 . p. 175.
14. L.1821 . p. 119.120; R.L.1837 . v. 177,173.
sec.
5.
sec.
21 , 29
sec.
19.
SiC.
8.
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Governmental Organization
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court vjas required to keep, separately, records of probate proceedings
and business.-'- In Piatt County -wrtiere county court still retains probate
jurisdiction, the county clerk serves it in these natters in his capacity
as ex-officio clerk of the county court. ^ Justices of the peace have al-
ways been required to keep their records in person."^
Ministerial Officers
The principal ministerial officer of all courts of record in Illinois
counties is the sheriff. The first constitution provided that the sheriff
should be elected.'* Later, in 1827, statutory provision vras made for the
appointment of deputies by the principal officer;^ since 1870, the number
of deputies that the sheriff may appoint is determined by rule of the cir-
cuit court. ^ The ministerial duties of the sheriff have undergone little
change in more than one hundred years. Essentially ho is to attend, in
person or by deputy, all courts of record in the county, obeying the or-
ders and directions of the court, and to serve, execute, and return all
•writs, warrants, process, orders, and decrees legally directed to him.'
The coroner was originally given equal power with the sheriff as a
ministerial officer of the courts. ^ He vreis also required to serve all
process in any suit in which the sheriff was an interested party" and
to perform all the duties of the sheriff v.'hen that office v/as vacant. ^0
The last -two functions are still incumbent upon the coroner. ■'•■'■
Justices of the peace are served similarly in a ministerial capacity
by constables. Not until 1870 was the office of constable given constitu-
1. L.1849, p. 66.
2. L.1877 , p. 82.
3. L.1819, p. 185-97 (no specific record-keeping requirement listed among
general duties of justices), 326 (establishing fees to be paid justices
for keeping records); R.L.1827, p. 260 (becomes definite provision for
justices to keep own records); L.1895 , p. 221,222.
4. Constitution of 1818, Art. Ill, soc. 11.
5. R.L.1827, p. 373.
6. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 9.
7. L.1819 , p. Ill; R.S.1874, p. 990,991.
8. L.1819, p. 111.
9. L.1821 , p. 20-33.
10. R.L.1827, p. 372,373.
11. R.S.1874, p. 282. Despite the absence from the present law of statu-
tory provision for the coroner to serve process originally directed to
him ( R.S.1874 , p. 281,282), the courts have held that he may so do, an
emergency being presumed to exist mthout need for the process to recite
reason for its issuance to the coroner (20 111. 185; 57 111. 268).
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Govemmcatnl Organization
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tional recof^iition;! at its creation by tho first General Assembly, the
county cor-iiuissioners' court was empowered to appoint one or more constables
in eacii tovmship;2 in 1827 it v;as provided that two constables should be
elected in eaich justice of the peace district."^ Since that date, subse-
quent legislation has groi«)ed jlusticec of tho peace and constables in all
provisions regarding thoir election. 4 Constables, like sheriffs and coro-
ners, have cl\fcys b;on roquirod to serve end eicecute all process legally
directed to them; 5 process issuing from a justice of the peace court, hovH
ever, mey be directed only to some constable of the same county. ^
Prosec.'.tions
Tlie dvity of the present state' s attorney to prosecute and defend all
actions, civil or criminal, involving the county, the people, or officers
of the state or county,''' was incuir.bcnt originally upon the circuit attor-
ney. ^ In 1827 this officer was replaced by the state's attorney. 9 Also
in effect from an. early date is the officer's other major duty, apart
from the enforcement of law,^*^ of giving opinions on any questions of lav;
relating to crininaJ. or other matters in which the people of the county
m?y be concomed.H
die office of circuit attorney and erjly state' s attorney, which
existed sololy by str.tutory provision, 12 vore appointive by the Governor
until 1855,13 ^^ii thcre^i'tcr b^. tho Gonerrl Assembly. 14 m^c second con-
stitution provided for j-n elected state's attomey;l^ since each judicirl
1. Constitu.tion of 1870, Art. VI, soc. 21.
2. L.1819. p. 162.
3. ?..L.18?,7 , p. 258.
4. Sco Courts , p. 39.
5. L.1B19 , p. 152,153; H. S.1574 , p. 400.
6. 1.1319. p. 135; R.S.1345 , ::•. 317; L. 1871-72 . p. 525; L.1895 , p. 191,
193; L.193 7. p. 900. Similarly, process issuing from courts of record
is req'Jd.red to be directed to the sheriff or, under certain conditions
noted (footnotes 8,9. pr.i 10, p. 43), to the coroner ( R.S.1845 . p. 415;
1,1571-72 , p. 538; L.1907 . p. 444,445; L.1933 , p. 786; L.1937 , p. 989).
7. R.S.1S74 , p. 173,174.
8. L.1319 , -0. 204; L.1825 , p. 178,179.
9. L.1S27 . -u 79,30.
10. Sec Zi-.forcemcnt of Lav/ , -o. 45.
11. ?-.S . 18-:-5 . -3. 76; R.S.1874 , d. 174.
12. Lol^l9 , p. 204-6.
13. Ibid., p. 204.
14. L.1S55 , p. 44.
15. Constitution of 18'i8, Art. 7, sec. 21. The new title, however, had
aircad;'- come into occasional use in the interim ( R.L.1827 , p. 79,80;
L.1355 , p. 44; L.1547, p. 13,19).
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Governmental Organization
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circuit was an elective district for this purpose, the territorial juris-
diction of the new officer remained the sane as that of the former offi-
cer, ■'■ Not vintil the adoption of the present constitution was provision
made for the election of a separate state's attorney in each county, ^
Inquests
The holding of inquests, one of the duties of the coroner in Illinois
counties, is also a part of the administration of Justice, The office of
coroner was created by the first constitution and required to be filled
by election; the statutory provisions concerning the inquest function
have not changed substantially since their enactment by the second General
Assembly, The coroner, when informed of the body of any person being
found dead, supposedly by violence, casUTklty, or undue means, is required
to summon a jury to inquire how, in what manner, and by whom or what, death
was caused; testimony of witnesses is taken; witnesses whose evidence im-
plicates any person as the unlavfful slayer of the deceased are bound over
to the circuit court; the verdict of the jury is returned to the clerk of
that court. ^
The verdict of the coroner's jury, however, is not generally admissi-
ble in evidence;" additionally, it is not held to be prima facie proof of
matters stated therein with regard to the cause and manner of death; its
essential nature, therefore, is that of a finding of facts upon the basis
of which the coroner may be led to discharge his collateral duty to
apprehend and commit to jail any person implicated by the inquest as the
unlawful slayer of the deceased. To this extent, the coroner's inquest
duties overlap his function as an officer for the enforcement of law.
Enforcement of Lavr
Sheriffs, coroners, and constables have always been charged equally
with keeping the peace and apprehending all offenders against the law.
1. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 28.
2. Constitution of 1870, Art. VI, sec, 22.
3. Constitution of 1818, Art. Ill, sec. 11,
4. Cf. L.1821 , p. 22-24; R.S.184G , p. 517,518; R.S.1874, p. 282-84;
R.S.1957 , p. 780-82.'
5. L.1821 , p. 24,25; R.S.1G45 , p. 518; R.S.1874 , p. 284; L. 1879 , p. 82;
L. 1907 , p. 215; L.1919 , p. 403,404; L.1931 , p. 388,339.
6. 46 N.V/, 872. It is, however, held to be proper practice to offer,
in cross-examining witnesses sought to be impeached, excerpts from
transcripts of testimony taken at the inqutst (189 111. App. 556; 211
111, App. 474),
7. 201, 111. App. 287.
8. L.1821 , p, 25; R.S.1845 , p. 516; R.S.1874 , p. 283,284.
9. L.1818, p. 111,162,165; R.S.1845," p. 515; R.S.1874, p. 400.
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The state's attorney's powers as an officer for the enforcement of law
origineJly arose by implication fron another duty;l the gathering of
evidence ond the epprehensioia of offenders is necessarily involved in
coiaaencins and prosecuting actions in which the people of the state or
county ei'o concerned. 2 1*1 relatively recent ycrTS, hoiievoT, the state's
attorney hcs hecn given more spocific statutory powers to enforce laws
and to invostigc.te violr.tions 5;id socxire necess;?j:y evidence thereof. 3
But at rrL;/' time the effective spheres of authority of law enforcement
officers hr.vo hcon determined loss by statutory provisions tht?n by local
conditions ?n.d iiidividiiol circumstances.
Education
!3?lic act of Congress providing for the creation end t-jinission of the
State of Illinois to the Union sot aside section sixteen of every town-
ship for the use of schools.^ The first state legislation on the subject
was concerned oioly with the cctablishmont of school districts and the
s^le or ler.sii^^v of school l.?nd to provide nscocs.'iry finds, for v/hich pur-
poses tlirco trustees of school l.'jads v/crc appointed in each township by
the coui'.ty commissioners' court. ^
In 1825, however, with a common school system in operation, provision
was made for its educational as v?ell as financial administration. Three
elected officers, knovm as tov/nship school trustees, were charged in each
tov.-nship with superintending schools, examining rnd employing teachers,
leasin^; ?J!.l land belonging to the district, and reporting annually to the
county co;.'jnissioners' court; this report, however, w-.s limited to such
matters as were concerned in tho fincncial administration of the schools.'^
In 1827 the county commissionoro' court was r>^ain eopov/nrcd to cppoint
trustees of school lands, but despite the use of the enjlicr, more limited
title, these officers were charged with -dl the duties of the former towiv-
ship school trustees.' Tlic creation of office of coianty school commissioner
in 1829 broxight a new element into the complc;: situation. The commissioner
v/as at first ^ivcn limited duticr vrith rogrjd to the srlc of school IrJids
end the n.-Tiageaont of school funds; 8 his subseq^'a.cnt gains in this respect
at the c:q5ensc of the tovcship trustees foreshado\^ed the domrjcation of
1. Sec Prosecutions , p. 44.
2. L.1619 , p. 204; P.. S. 1845 , p. 75.
3. L.1853 . -0. 3; L.1907 , p. 2C8; L.1913 , p. 395; L.1915 . p. 368;
1.1927 , p. 33.
4. 5 "J.S.S.L. '^■23.
5. L.1819 , p. 107,108.
0. L.l£25 . •'-'. 121,122.
7. R.L.1327 , p. 365-70.
3. P.. L. 1329, p. 150-54.
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Governmental Organization
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sphores of authority that v/as made in 1347. In the interim, the school
commissioner, who had first been appointed by the county commissioners'
court, ^ became an elected officer;^ in such tovmships as elected to incorpo-
rate for the purpose of organizing and supporting schools, township trustees
also became elected officers and were there denominated trustees of schools.
The situation created by the legislation of 1847 in certain respects
has not since been substantially altered. In all counties, township trustees
became, and are still, elected officers, styled tovmship school trustees. °
The relative aut}iority of the officer of the county^ and of officers of the
township with regard to finfaacial adininistration was fixed essentially as
at present.' llorcover, tcr./nship trustees lost practically all their fonner
duties with regard to matters purely educational as a result of a develop-
ment that occurred in 1845.
It v;as at that time that the county first entered into the actual ad-
ministration of education with the creation of the office of superintendent
of schools. ° Filled at first by the school coinmissioner in an ex-officio
capacity, 2 it quickly absorbed most of the functions of tovmship trustees
with regard to the advancement of education; ^^ later, the office came to be
filled by election-'-^ and completely absorbed that of school commissioner. 12
In the new field of county administration of education, the superintendent's
duties remained constant through his change in legal status, requiring him
to visit all the townships in his county and inquire into the condition
and manner of conducting their schools, to examine persons proposing to
1. Cf. L.1831 , p. 176; L.1841 , p. 275-79.
2. R.L.1B29 , p. 150.
3. L.1841, p. 261,262.
4. "ibid. , p. 273,274, In unincorporated townships, trustees continued
to be appointed by the county comrai ss loners ' court (ibid., p. 259,260).
5. L.1847 , p. 126; L.19C9 , p. 350.
6. The subsequent substitution of an independent elected superintendent
of schools for the school commissioner who had additionally been ex-
officio superintendent (see footnotes 9,11, and 12), was only a change
in the legal status of the officer of the county and had no further
import.
7. L.1847 , p. 123,124,128,129; L.190 9, p. 351-54; L.1927 , p. 794,795.
8. R.S.1845 , p. 498.
9. Ibid.
10. R.S.1845 , p. 497-503. Cf. L.1825 , p. 121,122; R.L.1827 , p. 366-70;
L.1331 , p. 173; L.1841 , p. 270,275,276,279. The only duty of this
category that was left to tovmship trustees in the laws of 1847 con-
cerned the examination of prospective teachers and the issuance of
certificates where merited ( L. 1847 , p, 130).
11. L.1865 , p. 112.
12. 'ibid., p. 112,113.
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Govommcntnl Org.?nization
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toach school, to grrnt ccrtificr.tcs to persons qurJ.ifiod to to^jch in
schools, cxid. to rcjport to the county 'bocxd on .?11 his nets rcl^.ting to
the mwar^cmcnt of school funis raid lands, 1 Subsequent legislation hr.s en?,
laxgcd the scope of this phase of tho supcrintcidcnt' s functions, but it
is in liis rolo as fui agent of state supervision that he has been charged
vrith numerous duties of a new character. 2
The authority of tho state with regard to education, first mmifostcd
in 1845, has, like that of the co-unty, boon extended beyond its original
bounds. Originally tho county superintendent was required only to coeou-
nicatc to the State Superintendent of Common Schools*^ information concern-
ing the schools in his co\nty.4 Todr^y, as a consequence of the state's in-
creasing intervention in natters of public health md sri'ety, tho county
superintendent is roqiiircd to inspect, viith regcrd to specifications, pirns
subnitted to hin for the heating, ventilation, lighting, etc., of public
school roons rnd buildings; to visit ?nd notice such public school 'build-
ings vMch rppoar to hin to "be unsafe, ins?nitrxy, or otherwise unfit for
occupracy; end to request the State Dcp^jtraent of Public Health, 5 the
state fire nrxshrl, or the state prchitect to inspect such buildings and
issue reports upon which condcnnation proceedings cm bo based. ^
Recordation
?or the function of naking legal record of v;ritten instruments, the
first General Asserfoly cst'.blishcd the office of recorder. ? Originally
appointed "by the Governor, 8 the recorder was required to "be elected after
1835.5 Ij,Q second constitution nade the clerk of the circuit court^O ex-
cfficio recorder in ell counties;^! the present constitution continued
1. R.S,1845 , p. 498-501. Cf. L.1847, p. 121-25; L.1857 . p, 261-65,273,
279,226,297; L.lBol . p. 190,191; L.18o5 . p. 114,119-21^,
2. L.1909, p. 347-50; L,1915, p. 635-38.
3. Tlie Secretary of State in ox-officio capacity ( L.1843 , p. 52). In
1854 the office becano independent, filled oy election, and known as
that of Superintendent of Public Instruction ( L.1854 . p. 13), which
is its present status ( L.1909 , p. 543).
4. L.1845 , p, 54.
5. Prior to 1917, the ri<:^hts, powers, and duties of this departnent were
vested in the State Board of Health, abolished in that year ( L.1917 ,
p. 4,17,27,28).
6. L.1915 . p. 637-40.
7. L.1819 , p. 18-20.
8. Ibi:.., p, 19.
9. L.1335 , p. 165.
10. jti elected officer; see Clcr-:s of Courts , x,, 42.
11, Constitution of 1848, Art, V, sec. 19; L.184?, p. 64.
- 49 -
GovGrnmental Organization
and Records System
the earlier provision in counties of \inder sixty thousand population and
provided for the election of a recorder in counties of that population or
more. As Piatt County never met the population requirement the clerk of
the circuit court has continued to fulfill the duties of recorder.
The basic duty of the recorder, to record at length and in the order
of their receipt all instruments in writing, has remained essentially un-
changed; legislation has been directod toward the extension of categories
of instruments entitled to be recorded. ^ Conveyances of title to land, a
major categorj-- of such records, frequently involve another county officer,
the surveyor. Established by the second General Assembly, the office of
surveyor v^as at first filled by appointment by that body,^ later by elec-
tion.'* In 1936 the surveyor again became an appointed officer, with the
power of appointment delegated to the county board. His duty to complete
all surveys he may be called on to make within his county has undergone
only minor change, but its importance has doclined; the acts of any sur-
veyor, properly acknowledged and certified, have oqual standing before the
law with those of the coxonty surveyor; no maps or plats have any legal
effect \inless recorded by the recorder."
Public Vv'orks
Roads and Bridges
Public roads and bridges were first under the superintendence of
the county commissioners' court which v;as authorized to locate nev; roads
and alter or vacate existing roads.' The act providing for such super-
intendence empowered the commissioners to appoint free holders in each
tovmship to act as supervisors, each appointment to be for a one-year
period. New roads vrore to be opened by the county commissioners' court
upon petition of residents of the county and a favorable report from the
road viewers and surveyor. A few years later the county commissioners
v:ere authorized to divide the county into road districts and to appoint
annually one supervisor to serve in each district." Ylith a change in
1. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 8; R.S .1874, p. 833.
2. L.1819 , p. 18-20; R.L.1829 , p. 117, 118T "R.L. 1835 , p. 511; R.S.1S45 ,
p. 305,431,432,606; L.1851 , p. 80; L.1859 , p. 124; L.1869 , p. 2j
R.S.1874 , p. 833,834; L.1921 , p. 756,757; L.1925 , p. 520-22.
3. L.1821 , p. 52.
4. L.i83b , p. 166.
5. L.1933 , p. 1104. Provision effective in 1936.
6* R'L.1829 , p. 173; R.L.18 33, p. 511; L.1845 , p. 201; L.1869 , p. 241,242;
R.S.1874 , p. 1050,1061; L.lDOl , p. 307,308; L.1915 , p. 575.
7. L.1819 , p. 333.
8. L. 1825, p. 150.
- 50 -
GovcmnGntpl Organization
pjid Rcccrds S^-ston
the co-LLity adriinistrative bodj'- under the second constitution, the county
cohort uas granted supervision and control over puolic roads, but the care
fXid sv^ierintenderce of roads and bridges in counties electing the townsliip
forn of govern.'nent were granted to the comi-^issioners ox highways, elected
annually in each town. 2 The corar.issioners divided the tcwr. into roed dis-
tricts, r^d overseers of highways in each district woro to repair the
roads :u".d crxry out orders of the comriis si oners. In coxintics not electing
the to\.T.s:-.ip fon-, the systen of road districts was continued. ^ Tho super-
vision, control end naintonanco of roads, higlawryo rnd bridges in Piatt
County v'crc vested in the co^jnty court rnd the road district supervisors
fron 1849 to 1850, v/hen township orgfiiization w,s instituted in this coun-
ty. ^ In 1913 the State Highvrry Dcpartnont wr^ established, r^nd provision
was npxlc for tho appointr..ont by the coijaity boai'd of a county s\]porinton-
dcnt of higliv/rys.^ The cntir:) systcr.-: v/as ccatr?jLizcd by subjecting the
co^jnty superintendent to the rules and regulations of the state highwpy
conr.isGioncr and by requiring crndi dates for county superintendent to be
approved oy tho state corj.iissioncr before j5)pointnent by the co^jnty board.
The tern of office of tho count;/ superintendent was set at six years, pp.d
his 5?lrxy was to be fixed by the county borTd. A board of highv/oy conr.:i&-
sioncrs v;as set up in each tow.ship to superintend natters relating to
roads siid bridges. Although the county superintendent was to act on be-
half of the county in regard to roads and bridges, r?rA although he was
subject to renovrl by the coi.inty board, he was regarded as a deputy of the
state higliwoy engineer, subject to his directions. Tliis indicates tho inr-
tontion of the legislature to unify tho entire state systcn of ro-?d.s md
bridges. In 1917 the Dcp.TTtnent of Public Works and B-aildings ass\juacd
the rivjits, powers, -^nd duties vested in the State Highway Dcp°xtr.ent,6
but the county org.^niz-tion has rcaainod essentially tho sr-jnc since 1913,
Public ^gildings
•The co'onty is given the power to hold, ovm, and convey real estate
for county pux-poses. ' This power is exercised by tho coujity board which
is charged v;ith. the care and custody of all the real and psrsonal property
ovmed 'o'j the county. Throughout the period of statehood it has been pro-
1. L.lc43 , p, 55; L.135 1, u. 179.
2. L,1S49 , p. 212.
3- hlll^ ?' 111-13; L.1349 , p. e5, 212, 213; L.1851 . p. 64,179.
4. Pio.ti; County adopted towrshio or'^anization in 1859, but the change
was not effective ijLntil 186C.
5. L,1913 , p. 521-25, 537-46.
6. Ibid., p. 524,525,538,543-44; L.1917 , p. 24; L.19a . p. 780-86; L.1935 .
p. 961.
7. H.S.1S74, p. 505.
- 51 -
Governmental Organization
and Records System
vided that a courthouse and jail be erected in each county, 1 and that the
sheriff of each county bo charged with custody of such buildings.^ The
county is further empowered to erect buildings for a county hospital, work-
house, tuberculosis sanitarium, and other county needs.
The county superintendent of schools is charged with the inspection
of plans and specifications for public school rooms and buildings, and
the approval of only those which comply with the specifications prepared
by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction,* He is also to re-
quest the Department of public Health, ° the state fire marshal, .or the
state architect to inspect public school buildings which appear to be
unsafe, insanitary, or unfit for occupancy. Upon receipt of an unfavor-
able report from these officials, the county superintendent is to condemn
the building and notify the board of directors or board of education, and
tlie board of school trustee Si
Drainage
In 1850 an act of Congress provided for the granting of swamp and
overflowed lands to various ststes." The land so granted to Illinois was
turned over to the counties in 1852 to be reclaimed by drainage and used
for county purposes. Such lands were to be under the care and superin-
tendence of the county court which was to appoint a "Drainage Commis-
sioner" to conduct the sales of such lands. The county surveyor was to
prepare plats of the swamp lands and return such plats to the clerk of
the covinty court, whereupon the court fixed the valuation upon each
tract. The purchasers of these tracts were given a certificate by the
drainage commissioner, and a deed was later executed by the count;!/
court. The court was to sell only enouf;h swamp lands to insure reclama-
tion of all such land, any balance to be granted to the several town-
ships to be used for educational purposes. At the discretion of the
county, such balance could also be used for the construction of roads or
bridges, or for other public works.
In 1865 tlie coinmissioners of highwf.ys in each town became ex-officio
boards of drainage commissioners, Iffhere a proposed drain ran through
more than one town the commissioners of all the towns affected made up
1. L.1819 , p, 257,238; R.S.1845 , p, 135; R.S.1874 , p. 307,308,
2. R.L.1827 , p. 246,247,372; P. S. 1874 , p, 990,
3. R.S.1374 , p, 307; L.1909 , p, 165; L,1911 , p, 246.
4. L.1915 , p. 637-40.
5. Created in 1917 to supplant the State Board of Health abolished in
that year ( L.1917 , p. 4,17,27).
6. 9 U.S.S.L. 519.
7. L.1852 , p. 178.
8. L.ieeS, p. 50.
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Goverrjaental Organization
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the board of drainat-,"e coamissioners.l In 1879 drainage construction ■by-
special an ses scent vras handled "07 the drainage connissioncrs, a "bodj'
corporate cxid. politic coinposed of conmissioners of highways. ^
Provision was- first moAe for the organization of drainage districts
for agric-olturnl, s.^nitary, ,?nd mining purposes in 1879. Petitions v/ero
to "be' filed v;ith the county clerk ^nd herrings on the snjnc v;cre to be had
before th.-; county court. Mien the court found in favor of the petitioners,
it rppointcd throe disinterested persons as cocaiissi oners to Iny out and
construct the work. Petitions for the construction of drains to cost loss
thr.t $5,000 v.'crc to be presented to .iusticos of the peace, if the peti-
tioners so elected, and the comnissionors of higliwrys v/ero to perform the
duties of dr-^innge comnissionors in such cases. 3 in 1885 this law was
BEendecl to include drains costin^^ less than $2,000 end provided for the
^pcintnent of three residents as cor;.-issioners,^
Public Services
Public Health
Eie State Department of Public Health, created in 1917, ^ is charged
with gcnerrl supervision of the health and lives of the people of the
state. In confornaiice vrith this legislative order it is eiroo\>rcred to
supervise, aid, direct, end assist local health rxithorities or agencies
in the rAnini strati on of the health laws. Public hcrlth districts may
be orgr^nized along subcounty linos with a beard of ho-nlth in each. The
nrjnos of such districts ore to bo filed with the county clerk to complete
their orgrnizr.tion. JinnuaJ-ly, each board of herJth certifies to the ccan-
ty clerk the rate of a public he-JLth tax to be levied in each district,
the clerk being res;j)onsiblc for setting out the -jropcr taxes •(j^o:-, the •.
vrarrant books and transmitting them to the collector as provided for in
regard to other taxes. o
Control of the state hepJLth department ever lodging houses, boexd-
ing houses, taverns, inns, end hotels is effected through the co^jnty clerk,
the proprietors cf such ostablistoents beinjy required to fill with the
clerk en a;ni\ial statement containing details as to sleeping accommodations
for guests,*? Tlie clerk is also required to report ar-nually to the state
^' ^»1B67 , p, 91, S2.
2. L.1B79 , -:^. 14a
3. Ibid., p, 120,
4. L.18S5 , i:.. 150,131.
5. L.1917 , p. 4.
6. Ibid,, p*. 27,28,753,765,767,768.
7. L.1901 , p. 305.
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Governmental Organization
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health department the names and addresses of township officials. ■'•
Mosquito abatement districts are organized upon petition to the coun-
ty judge of the county in vrfiich such territory lies, such petitions being
filed with the county clerk. If , after hearing, the county judge deter-
mines that the organization of a district is necessary, the question is
submitted to the residents of the territory at a special election. The
judges of election make return to the county judge, and the results are
entered upon the records of the county court, A majority of the votes
favoring it, a mosquito abatement district is tiiereupon organized.
County officials also enter into the state's control of public s^vim-
ming pools. TlVhen a representative of the State Department of Public Health
finds conditions that warrant the closing of such a pool, the owner of tlie
pool and the sheriff and state's attorney of the county are notified to
that effect, it being the duty of these officers to enforce such notice,"^
Vital Statistics
The State Department of Public Health has charge of the registration
of births, stillbirths, and deaths throughout the state. "^ To effect proper
control of this matter the state is divided into vital statistics registra-
tion districts which, in Piatt County, are identical witli the townships.
The township clerk acts as the local registrar in these districts and
receives certificates of births and deaths occuring in tlie district. Bur-
ial permits are issued by the registrar and are later returned to him for
filing.
The local registrar is required to deposit monthly with the county
clerk a complete set of records of births, stillbirths, and deaths regis-
tered during the month, and the clerk is charged -vrith binding and index-
ing, or recording, and safekeeping of such records. The original certif-
icates are sent monthly by the local registrars to the state health de-
partment Tfiriiich certifies annually to the county clerk the number of births,
stillbirths, and deaths registered in the county.
Since 1937 the county clerk has been required to keep a record of
applications for marriage licenses, together mth certificates showing
that persons desiring to marry are free from venereal diseases.
■When a marriage has been performed the certificate of marriage
together with the license is returned to the county clerk, who is
1. L.1923 , p. 480.
2. L.1927 , p. 694.
3. L.1551 , p, 735,736.
4. L.1915 , p. 660-70.
5. L.1957, p. 908-11.
- 54.
Govcrni-icntel Organization
ana Records System
rGq^aircd to keep a registry of narriagcs, shovring the date, nonos of th.0
parties oiid neno and titlo of the official pcrforning the ccrcnony.^
TIic co-a:ity "board is to ^appropriate :.:or.cy for the pojTicnt of the local
registrars' fees. Such Tncunts nxe charges agair.st the county, and the
co-unty clerk is required to issue vrarrnnts on the county treasurer for the
anount of tlae fees payable to the rcgistrrrs.
Eio county rlso enters into the enforcer.icnt phase of this natter. 31io
state health department reports cases of violations of vny provisions of
the act relating to registration to the st-.tc' s attorney v/ho is to initiate
and follow 1:5) court proceedings -^^ainst violators.
Public Assistance
Public assistance is adr.ini stored through the services of the cotmty
departi-.ent of public v;clfar3, the county hone, the examiner of the blind,
the probation officers, the county clerk, ?jid the county board.
Tiic county dcpartLient of public welfare is headed by a superintendent
appointed by tlic county bocxd pf tor approvr>l by the State Dcp.^jtnent of
Public Vfclfcxe.S He assists the state doprTt:'.cnt in the operation of v;ol-
fr>rc pirns end policies within^the county nnd has charge of the adninis-
tration of old age assistnncc.S In this latter regard the county dopprt-
ncnt acts ncroly as the c>^cnt of the state dcpartncnt, investigating repli-
cants rnd reporting rocvdts.
'Hie county home is an estpblislir.ent for the naintensnce and care of
indigents. Its nanagenent and finances are provided by the county board. '^
Blir.a aissistance is adiiinistered in the county through r'^jpropriations by
the couiity board together with state funds. An excniner of the blind, a^
pointed by the co\3nty board, exa-ninos all rpplicruits referred to hin by
the county clerk. 5 The county court has jurisdiction in the adninistrar-
tion of tlie nothers' pension fund. A probation officer, an appointee of
the court for this purpose, investigates rn.d visits cc^es of indigent
nothcrs v/ho cxc entitled to benefit. °
Coordination of Functions
Pror. tlie foregoing discussion of functions of the crjnty govenriont
it is c^pparcnt that the county plan's a duol role, that of a body politic
1. R.S.1874 , p. 696.
2. L.19o7 , p, 451,452.
5. L. 1935-36 , First &5. Sess., 54-61,72; L,1937 , t). 265-70,452.
4. L.1935 , p. 1057.
5. L,1903 , p. 138; L.1915 , p. 256,257; L.1955, "o. 254,265.
6. L..1913. p, 127-30; 1.1915 . -0. 243-45; L.192l" , x>. 163-64; L.1935 . p.
25t^59. ' "
- 55
Governmental Organization
and Records System
and that of an agent of the state. In its first capacity the county,
through its officials, is capable of suing and being sued, purchasing,
holding, and selling property, making contracts, and raising revenue for
its proper operation. As a state agent it fits into a state-'.vlde program
on various matters of public concern, acting under the supervision and
control of the state and coordinating the activities of subcounty agencies
and officials.
Coordination of county activities is effected chiefly through the
county clerk. An illustration of this is the part this official plays in
the election procedure. He notifies the judges and clerks of elections
of their appointments, supplies them with blanks and poll books, receives
copies of registers of voters, issues notices of election, receives and
preserves returns, canvasses votes v;ith the assistance of two justices
of the peace and retains the abstracts, transmits copies of election re-
turns and abstracts of votes to the Secretary of State, and issues cer-
tificates of election.
Records System
County records in the State of Illinois have suffered from the lack
of an adequate program of legislation designed to secure uniformity' in
recordation and to insure the proper care of those documents which have
permanent value. However, from the inception of statehood, some effort
has been made to coordinate the records systems of the several counties
and to preserve their archives.
In attempting to establish state-wide uniformity among counties, the
General Assembly has at times provided detailed descriptions of required
records and in many instances has supplied the very forms to be used.
Laws relating to the duties and powers of county officers usually contained
some such provisions. Thus, in 1819, the recorder of the county was or-
dered to supply "parchment or good large books, of royal or other large
paper, well bound and covered" wherein to record all deeds and conveyances
brought to him for that purpose. Ho was also to keep a fair book in which
to enter every deed or writing to be recorded, noting the date, the parties,
and the place where the lands vrere situated, such entries to be made accord-
ing to priority of time.^ In 1833 he was required to keep an alphabetical
index to each book,^ and by 1874 the General Assembly had prescribed a com-
plete list of books to be kept in the office of the recorder, with a des-
cription of the contents of each, which list has been continued, substan-
tially unchanged, to the present.^
1, L.1819 , p. 18,20.
2, R.L.1833 , p. 511,
3, R.S.1874, p. 834,
- 5G -
Governmental Organization
and Records System
In like manner, legislation wxs enacted prescribinr; records to bo
kept by the county clerk and his predecessors, acting; in their several
capacities, the cl^irk of the circuit court, the judge'- and justice^ of
the probate court, the coroner,'' the county superintendent of schools,^
the county survevor, and the county treasurer.^
Description of records and forms to be used ere frequently founc! in
legislation pertaining to the holding of elections,"' asccfsments and the
collection of revenue, 1'-' the organization and maintenance of coirmon
schools, ^•'- the registration of marriages, •'■^ and the recording of vital
statistics.
V^ile there has been enacted much legislation prescribing the kind
of records to be kept, only a fev; laws deal v;ith the safeguarding and
preservation of county archives. In 161S the General Assembly directed
tho clerks of the circuit and county ccmirrioners' courts to provide "a
safe press or presses v;ith locks and keys for the safe-keeping of the
archives of their offices. . . ,"^^ In 1643 the county commissioners'
courts were authorized, and required v;henever the finances of the county
v?ould justify the expenditure, to erect a fireproof recorder's office at
the county seat, or if the commissioners were of the opinion that any un-
appropriated room in their courthouses could be made fireproof, to make
it so and houre the office and records of the recorder there. At the di ;
cretion of the county cormissioners' court, the provisions of this act
1.
L.1849, p. 66,203; L,1859, p. 92,94; L.1865, p. 93; K.S.1874, p.
2G1-G5,332; L.1935, p. 293-95.
2.
R.L.1833, p. 1G2; P. S. 1845, p. 147; L.ie47, p. 70; L.1849, p. 9;
L.lt:65, p. 93; K.S.1874, p. 262,263; 1.193.?, p. 293,294.
3.
H.L.ie29, p. 231.
4.
P. S. 1845, p. 427,426.
5.
K.T..1837. R. 674; L.1869, p, 104,105; R.S.1S74, p. 203.
6,
L,1849, p. lC5,li6; L.ie65, p. 120; L.1909, p. 546,348,349.
7.
R.L.1829, p. 173; R.£..1845, p. 524.
8.
R.S.1845, p. 136; R.S.lC-74, p. 323,324.
3.
L,i819, p. 92,94; F.L.ir.27, p. 291,292; R.L.1829, p. 59,60; L.1845,
p. 41,42; L.1849, p. 73,74; L.ie65, p. 5-'',r5; L. 1871-72, p. 386-85,
391; L,1885, p. 143,148,175,176; L,1957, p. 522-29,531-48.
10.
R.L.1827, p. 329-33; L. 1838-59, p. 4,5,7,8,12,13,17; L.1845, p. 6-9,
12,14,15; L.1849, p. 37,36,12-1-26; L.lSbl, p. 53,55,^6; L.1853, p.
17,24,50,55,77,78,111,112; L.lf71-72, p. 19,23,32,48,49,54.
11.
Lae25, p. 127; R.L.1833, p. 563; L.ie41, p. 263,270-72; L.1845, p.
53,54,65-66; L.1847, p. 121-23, 142-44; R.S.1874, p. 950,957,958,964.
12.
L.1819, p. 27; R.L.1827, p. 288,289; R.S.1874, p. 694,695,
13.
L. 1842-43, p. 210-12; L.1877, p. 209; L.1901, p. 501-4; L.190o, p.
315-18; L.iri5, p. 666,667.
14.
L.1819, p. 33S.
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- 58 -
Governmental Organization
and Records System
might he deemed to apply to the offices of the clerks of the circuit and
cotmty commissioners' courts.^ Similar in content but slightly different
in wording is a later enactment in vriiich the county commissioners' courts
were authorized to "erect, build, and provide permanent fireproof rooms,
houses or vaults, for the purpose of placing therein and preserving from
injurj', damage, loss, or destruction by fire, the records and documents
of their respective counties. "2 The preservation of county archives has
been greatly sided by an act to provide for the copying of old, worn-out,
records, 3 and by a law authorizing the transfer of county records having
historic vaJue to the Illinois State Historical Library, the Archives
Division of the Illinois State Library, or to the State University Library
at Urbana.'^ Provision is made in this act for the substitution of accurate
copies of these dociiments if such action be deemed necessary. In 1907 the
act was amended to include among the institutions to which old records
migjit be sent, any historical society incorporated and located within a
particular county. 5 Laws have also been enacted Ts^^ich provide for the rest-
oration of certain classes of records destroyed by fire or other means. ^
In 1935 the General Assembly appropriated money for the construction of a
fireproof building at Springfield for the purpose of storing therein the
archives and records of the state. "^ The erection of this structure, the
State Archives Building, has helped to make possible the inauguration of
an intelligent, farsighted program for the preservation of papers and doc-
uments of historic value.
There arc still serious omissions in legislation pertaining to re-
cordation. For instance, Illinois has no law prescribing the kinds of
inks to be used in keeping records. And, although laws have been en-
acted authorizing the provision of fireproof accorrinodations for covmty
documents, they are pemissive rather than mandatory in character. 8
Legislation enabling the destruction of worthless archives apparently is
nonexistent with exception of laws relating to certain election prpers.-
The enactnent of legislation which would remedy these defects in the 1o.t;s
and continue the trend toward state— wide uniformity among counties would
result in an intelligent, economical records system for the State of Illincis^
1. L. 1842-43 . p. 210.
2. L.1845 , p. 46.
3. L. 1871-72 , p. 648,649.
4. L.1897 , p. 205; L.1939 . p. 693.
5. L.1307 , p. 375.
o. L.1871-72 , p. 649,650,652.
7. L.1935 , p. 138.
8. L. 1342-43 , p. 210; L.1845 , p. 46.
9. L.1361 . p. 259; L.1871-72 , p. 389; L.1885 , p. 146,193; L.1891 ,
p. 118,119; L.1917 , p. 438,443.
(First entry, p. 95)
3. ROSTER OF CCUITTY OFFICERS*
(Dr.te after n?,ine of officer refers to
date of coirunission, unless otherwise stated)
Co'unty Commissioners' Court**
(The first county adninistrr.tive tody, from 1341 to 1849,
which consisted of three elected conraissioners)
John Hughes, William Bailey, Enoch Peck, William H. Piatt,
Enoch Peck,l April 5, 1841 William Wright, September, 18432
♦ This list was compiled from the following sources:
A. Secretary of State. Index Depr.rtnent, Election Returns.
Returns from County Clerk to Secretary of State. 1809-47, 78
volumes (l-78), third tier, "bay 1. 1848—, 53 file drawers (2-54),
third tier, hr-.y 2, State Archives Building, Springfield.
B. Secretary of State. Executive Department.
Certificates of Qualifications. 1819 — , 22 file dra\7ers (l-2S),
fourth tier, hay 5, State Archives Building, Springfield.
C. (l) Secretary of State. Executive Department Official Records.
List of Commissions Issued to County Officers. 1309-1918, 5 vol-
umes, fourth tier, hay 6, Stats Archives Building, Springfield.
(2) Secretary of State, Executive Department Official Records.
List of Comm.issions Issued to County Officers. 1869 — , 4 volumes,
room 208, second floor. Secretary of State's Office, Executive
Department, Sta,te Capitol Building, Springfield.
Wliere state records are incomplete or missing, data are secured from
county records; secondary sources are used only when state and coimty
records a.re deficient or not available.
** Dates shown a.fter comm.issioners' names indicate date of election un-
less otherwise stated. By a law passed in 1837, the three commission-
ers elected in 1838 were to draw lots marked one, two, and three years
to determine length of term. Thereafter, until 1849, one commissioner
was to he regularly elected each year to serve a three-year term. For
length of term of officers of later county boards, see County Board;
for length of term of other officers, see separate office chapters.
1. County board records beginning with the March term, 1843 (Court
Record, v. A, p. l) are the first known to exist, and show these
three men as commissioners. State records show the number of votes
they received in the April, 1341 election but the first record of
their official proceedings is two years later. County board records
do not show results of the drardng of lots for one-, two-, and three-
year terras or which commissioner wa.s re-elected in 1842. State rec-
ords show no returns for election in Av;^^st, 1841.
2. Recorded as commissioners at this term (Court Record, v. A, p. 13);
Piatt is recorded as having been elected vice Bailey, resigned (ibid.,
p. 14).
- 59 -
60 -
Hoster of Coimty Officers
County Conmissioners' Court (cont.)
Adison I. '^iley,!
December 4, 1843
Wm. H. Grain,
Octo"ber 14, 18442
Wiiiian E. Piatt, Peter K. Fall, 3
Au^st 4, 1845
John Hughes,
SepteralDer 8, 1845'
Christopher H. 7ard,
August 2, 1847
Peter H. Kull (Feter K. Hull), 5
AufiTdst 7. 1848
County Court
(From 1849 until institution of townshin form
of government in 1860, county cusiness
was administered "by county judge
and tr.'O associate justices
acting as cconty "board)
John Hughes, county judge,
Novem'ber 12, 1849,
John ^instead, Jonathan C. Johnson,
associate justices,
Kovember 6, 1849
Alexander Boyer, county judge,
NoveiEter 25, 1653,
John Mosgrovs, associate justice,
Novemher 19, 1653,
John Winstead, associate justice,
December 13, 1853,
Joseph D. Phillips, associate
justice (vice Winstead,
resigned),^
March 6, 1856
Alexander Boyer, county judge,
November 20, 1857,
James Ater, associate justice,
November 16, 1857,
John Mos^rove, associate justice,
November 28, 1857
County ioard of Supervisors
The several township supervisors, one elected from each township,
together with any additional and assistant supervisors elected upon pro-
portional representation, made up the membership of the county board of
supervisors, Because these supervisors, severally, are township offi-
cials, and only as a group constitute the county board, they are not
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
S'.vorn as commissioner vice Pv^ck, resigned (Court Record, v. A, p. 23).
First recordation as commissioner serving nith Th. H. Piatt and ^m.
bright (ibid., p. 43).
Record of comnissionerr, ' court meeting, September 1, states "ra. H.
Piatt vslectod to fill vacancy of ^lii. 'Tright, deceased; Peter K, Hull
elected for 3 years (ibid., p. 56).
Took scat as regularly elected commissioner for three years (ibid.,
p. 73).
Peter X. Hull took seat as commissioner at September term, 1848
(ibid., p. 123).
Court Record, v. B, p. 52.
- 61 -
Roster of County Officers
County Bor.rd of Supervisors (cent.)
corjinissioned by the state a.s county officers, and no dat?. concerning them,
from which r. list could he compiled, are kept hy the state. For the same
reason, county records, too, are inadequate for the compilation of a com-
plete ajid accurate list of supervisors. Therefore, due to these and other
limita.tions, only those members m.entioned in coixnty records in connection
ivith the first recorded meeting of the hoard of supervisors are included
in this roster.
On November 8, 1859, the electorate of Piatt County voted for township
orgr^nization.^ A committee, for the purpose of dividing the co\mty into
townships, was appointed on January 2, 1860;^ their report, made at the
March term of the county court, named and bounded eight townships. 3 The
first (special) meeting of the board of supervisors was held May 28, 1860,
the supervisors present and tomiships each represented, being a-s follows: 4
Supervisors Townships
John Mcliza
Seth C. Langdon
Jllias Hall
\7illipjn Cole
Blue Ridgo
G-oose Creek
Willow Branch
Cerro &ordo
21ias Hall wan uns^iimously chosen chairman.^
Supervisors To^vnships
Royal Mitchell Unity
Caleb D. Moore Bement
Willia,m Mothersp.?.w Monticello
Anpjiias B. Knott Sangamon
County Judges
John Hughes
November 12, 1849
Alexander Beyer,
November 25, 1853,
November 20, 1857,
November 27, 1861
Heailton C. McComas,
November 25, 1865
George L. Spear (vice McComas,
removed) ,
November 17, 1868
Hiram Jackson,
December 5, 1869
William McRej^nolds,
December 3, 1873,
December 1, 1877
TTilliam &. Cloyd,
Jtme 6, 1879,
December 1, 1882
Harvey E. Huston,
December 6, 1886,
December 6, 1890
1. For township organization, 470 votes; against, 1S4 (Court Record,
V. B, p. 572).
2. Jajries Bryden, C, D. iioore, and Ezra Marquiss were the members of this
committee (ibid., p. 578).
3. Ibid. , p. 624-87.
4. Couiity Court Record
first named Liberty.
5. Ibia.
- Law, V. C, p.
26. TTillow Branch Township vrp.s
Roster of County Officers
- 62 -
County Judges (cont.)
Marion R. Davidson (vice
Huston, resigned),
June 5, 1891
F, M. Shonkrwiler,
IJovemter 16, 1894,
Novecber 18, 1898
Francis M. Shonlr-.i-iler,
November 12, 1902
Zliia J. Ka^'.'ba!>c£-r,
November 14, 1906,
December 2. 1910
Filliam A. Doss,
November
16.
1914,
November
29.
1918
Marion H. Davidi
son.
Fovember
22,
1922,
November
22,
1925
Thomas J. Kastel,
November
21.
1930
Burl A. 2die,
November
19.
1934
Probate Justices
(In 1849 the rirobate justice -^as succeeded b^j'
the ccmty judge as ex-officio judge of
the probate court)
James Rcber,
Hay 10, 1841,
September 2, 1843,
August 25, 1847
Covin ty Clerks
(Clerks of the county co.Tjnissioners' court,
county court, and county board of
supervisors)
Joseph King,
April 5, 1841 (elected)
Jefferson D. Hillis.l
Augiast 1, 1842 (elected)
James F. 0uten,2
August 2, 1847 (elected)
Janes T. Outten,
November 12. 1849,
November 23, 1853
James L. Uiller,
November 20, 1857
Wilson F. Cox,
July 22. 1859
1. Jefferson D. Willis is recorded as county clerk March 7, 1843
(Court Record, v. A, p. 6), the name being thu» spelled in every
recording until election of his successor.
2. James F. Outten filed bond as clerk at September tern, 1843 (ibid.,
p. 23), and is shown as serving continuously 'jjitil the election of
his successor in 1857, his name b'in.- invariably spelled as in this
footnote throughout county records during this period.
63 -
Roster of County Officers
County Clerks (cont.)
John A. Helnian,
Novenber 2 7, 1861
Watkins L. Ryder
I'Jovsmber £5,
December 6,
Jolin Porter,
December 5, 1873
Andrevf L. Rogers,
December 1,
December 1,
December 6,
December 8,
November 16,
1865,
1C69
1677,
1882,
1886,
1890,
1394
Ben jam-in F.
November
November
Karvey F'ay,
November
December
December
November
November
Lodoska McC
Nov(-:raber
Harvey Fay,
November
November
Kagey,
29, 1698,
18, 1902
50, 1906,
IS, 1910,
5, 1914,
£9, 1918,
29, 1922
lure
18, 1926
28, 1930,
23. 1934
Rocorders
(in 1849 the circuit cljrk became
<^x-officio recorder)
James F. Outtcn,
April 12, 1S41,
September 9, 1843,
August 10, 1847
Circuit Court Clerks
(prior to 1848, circuit clerk appointed by circuit jiidge)
Jonathan C. Johnson,
September 4, 1848 (elected)
Alexander George Boyor,
November Z:i, 1852
Lewis Bond,
November 14, 1856,
December 1, 1860
Y/illiam F. Foster,
December 2, 1864,
September 7, 1868
V^illiam H. Plunk,
November 16, 1872,
December 1, 1876,
December 2, 1880
George A. Stadler,
November 21, 1384
Robert Hudgen,
December 3, 1888,
November 28,
1692,
December 7,
1G96
J. C. Tippett,
November 30,
1900,
November 30,
1904
B. G. Duncan,
November 28,
1908,
November 22,
1912,
December 1,
1916,
November 26,
1920
Nellie Duncan,
July 25,
1923
Faurcst L. Eort(
Dn,
November 24,
1924,
December 5,
1928
Darroll Foster,
December 1,
1932,
November 27,
1936
- 64 -
R03ter of Covmty Officers
Sheriffs
(Ex-offic?.o collectors 1844 to 1860)
John Piatt,
April 12, 1841
Edward Ator,
August 1, 1342,
September 9, 1344
Charles YI. Karris,
Autjust 28, 1846
Georsje Heath,
August 17, 1848
Alexander G. Boyer,
November 30, 1850
Samuel Morain,
I'ovember 29, 1052
Griffin 11. Bruffitt,
November 15, 1854
Samuel Morain,
llovcmber 10, 1856
James C. Heath,
November 2, 1858 (elected)
Reuben EoT.-man (vice Keath) ,
Janxiary 21, 1850
Francis H. Lowry,
December 1, 1860
Ebenezer p. JTisher,
December 5, 1862
Williaa 3. Sist,
December 2, 1864
George P. Miller,
llovcmber 22, 1866
John Kirby,
December 7, 1868
William Plank,
December 6, 1870
E. P. Pisher,
December 14, 1872,
November 24, 1874
William M. Holmes,
November 24, 1876,
December 2, 1878,
Januarj' 21, 1831
John P. .\ndrew,
December 1, 1882
George P. Miller (vice Andrew,
resigned) ,
January 5, 1836,
December 6, 1885
Joseph !.{. Woolington,
November 26, 1390
C. A. Shively,
November 30, 1894
Joseph H. Woolington,
December 2, 1898
Freeman Clow,
November 26, 1902
Colonel A. Shively,
November 26, 1906
Ford D. Duvall,
November 30, 1910
George A. Lindsley,
November 27, 1914
Edward R. Gale,
November 25, 1918
George A. Lindsley,
November 22, 1922
Ernest E. Lindsley,
November 18, 1925
W. H. Conaway,
November 21, 1930
Ernest S. Lindsley,
rov.^i:ber 23, 1934
Paul B. Smith, 1
1. Shovra as sheriff in Official List of State and County Officers of
Illinois, July 1, 1959 , compiled by Edward J. Hughes, Secretary of
State, p. 40. Hereinafter cited as Official List of County Officers ,
July 1. 1939.
Roster of County Officers
- 65
Coroners
Henry Barns (Barnes),
April 12, 1841
Titus Hubbart,
August 13, 1842
George Ater,
September 9, 1844
Titus JIubbart,
August 28, 1846
Vfashington M. Nesbitt,
August
Isaac Raney,
November
Wm. Motherspavv,
November 29,
Moses Savage,
November 15,
George Hickman,
November 10,
Reuben Bowman,
November 30, 1858
Thomas M. Mother spaw,
December 1, 1860
Benjamin IJarkel,
23, 1848
30, 1850
1852
1854
1856
November
Abraham Peck,
December
Isaac VJooding,
November
William Webster,
December 7,
Amos S. Jackson,
November 8,
William A. Bates,
December 14,
4, 1862 (elected)
1864
6, 1866 (elected)
1868
1870 (elected)
1872
Hathew N. Secrist,
December 1,
Henry H. Ethoringt
November 24,
Jacob H. Barnes,
December 2,
January 21,
H. H, Eatherton,
December 1,
Jacob H. Barnes,
1874
on,
1876
December 1,
December 3,
December 1,
III. N. Secrist,
December 7,
irovembcr 30,
Wm. J. Porter,
Ootober 30,
November 14,
November 25,
November 22,
November 28,
November 23,
Louis ¥.'. Stitt,
November 24,
William A. Corder
February 8,
Juna 22 ,
November 30,
John H. IvIcNutt,
December 3,
November 27,
1878,
1881
1882
1884,
1883,
1892
1896,
1900
1903,
1904,
1908,
1912,
IS 16,
1920
1924
(vice Stitt )
1927,
1927,
1932,
1936
State's Attorneys
(Appointed by the General Assembly to 1849;
elected by circuit district electorate
to 1872)
Samuel R. Reed,
November 21, 1872
Albert Emerson,
December 15, 1875,
November 24, 1876
Charles Hughes,
December 2, 1880,
November 28, 1884
James Hicks,
December 3, 1888
Harry H. Crea,
December 1, 1892
Charles F. Mansfield,
December 7, 1396,
November 30, 1900
- 66 -
Roster of Coionty Officers
State's Attorneys (cont,)
Albert C. Edie,
Nove^oor' 14, 1904
Williai A. Doss,
Kovcnber 28, 1900
Thomas Kastel,
Novonoer 25, 1912
Charloc ¥. Firkc,
Doccx-iocr 1, 1915
Burl A. Bdle,
ITovember 23, 1920
Robert Pay son Shonkviler,
lTovoniber-24, 1924,
Novernber 22, 1928 •
Jsanos Eow^xd Reod,
December 3, 1932
Carl I. (rlss^ovi,
i'Tovorabcr 87, 1936
Trcasixrors
(Also acted as assessors 1844 to 1850, s-apcrvisors
of assessncnts 1893 to datu, and collectors
1650 to date)
John P.inbrook,-'-
4)ril 5, 1841 (oloctod)
Joseph A. Keo,
Aa,30.st 2, 1849 (elected),
Noveabcr . 5, 1849 "
Villior-i P. Hopper,
lTov-,-iibcr 'e, 1351 (cloctcd)
Joseph A. Koc,
lTor.^i:bcr 8, 1853 (elected)
Williar.1 ?. Poster,
HoV'Cnbcr ■ 5, 1855 (elected),
Novciaber -20, 1857
II, E. Sliodes, ■
IToveniber 16, 1859
Npthan E, Rliodes,
Dec cab or 5, 1852,
llovonbcr 7, 1655 (elected)
Charles I'fetts,
ITovrabcr 5, 1867 (elected)
Scth C, Lpjagdon,
NoTonbcr 2, 1869 (elected)
1877
1C79,
1882
Joseph P, Van Guhdy,
March 1, 1372,
December 3, 1873,
Uovcmbr.r 11, 1375
Kelson Rcid,
December 1,
Theodore Gross,
December 1,
December 1,
Edwcxd W. Walker,
December 6, 1886
Daniel Hall,
ITovcmbcr 4, 1090 (elected)
Bdwrrd-W. Walker,
December 1, 1894
Sa'nuel P. Puiik:,
December 2, 1898
Isaac ITewton Eiebinccr,
IToYcrabcr 25, 1902
Jacob H, Cline,
lIOTember 26, 1906
1. Jolui ?, Tinbrook recorc'cd as treas-jrer at Se-ptenber tern, 1843 (Coui*t
Record, v. A, p. 19), the nanc bcini;; thus sp-illod in every mention in
co-JT-ty records •throughout his tci"n; it is believed ho was the first
treasurer, John Riclcotts appointed troasva'er during Saptcnbor tcra,
1843, vice Tinbrook, ;-csi?XiOd (ibid). JoGe;9h A, 'Kco, ^pointed trc?^
urcr January 18, 1847, vice ?.icketts, rcnovec". from county (ibid,, p, b<;
P.O),
- 67 -
Roster of County Officers
Treasurers (cont.)
Ona L. CI ins,
December 13, 1910
William Piatt Smith,
November 27, 1912,
November 3, 1914 (elected)
David A. Troxell,
November 29, 1918
William Piatt Siaith,
December 2, 1922
Burley A. Orrison,
November 18, 1926
Cloyd D. Fisher,
November 29, 1930
Burley A. Orrison,
November 23. 1934
Cloyd D. Fishorl
Superintendents of Scliools
(School coimissioners to 1865)
Joseph King,
AUf^ust 2,
George K. Patter
August 1,
James Reber,
August 4,
John Britton,
August 7,
Milton H. Abbott
November 6,
Joseph A. Kee,
December 13,
Thomas I'illigan,
November 5,
November 20,
John Huston,
November 16,
December 5,
John A. Coleman,
November 7,
Caleb A. Tatman,
November 2,
C. J. Pitkin,
December 3,
1841
son,
1842
1845
1848
1851
1853
1855
1857
1059,
1062
1865
1869
18 72,
(elected)
(elected)
(elected)
(elected
(elected)
(elected).
(elected)
(elected)
November
4,
1873 (elected)
Ilary I. Reedj
1
December
1,
1877
Gilbert A. Burgess,
December
1,
1082
George N. Snapp,
December
6,
1886
Allen B. Martin,
November
4,
1890 (elected).
Janes H. Martin,
November
30,
1894
Charles Mcintosh,
1
November
8,
1898 (elected).
November
30,
1900,
December
15,
1902,
November
26,
1906,
December
14,
1910,
November
27,
1914,
November
29,
1910,
November
7.
1922 (elected).
September
6,
1927,
March
12,
1931,
July
23,
1935
1. Shown as county treasurer in Off icial List of Cou nty Officers,
July 1, 1939, p. 40.
«. 68 -
Roster of Cour-ty Officers
Surveyors
(Bc^iining September, ID06, surveyor appointed
"by county boai'd of a\:5>or'isors)
Jaraen P.cbcr,
4iril 12, 1841
George ilcath,
Scitcri'scT 2, 1343,
AiXOirA 10, 1847,
Aaiv.fit 17, 18'18,
llovcr.-.oor 19, 1849
Janes rl, Pcr/^uson,
lIova;-.ibcr 6, 1851 (cloctod)
Janes 3ryde:i,
lTovo:.ib.:r 25, 1353,
Hovc:;.bcr 15, 1855,
Novcnbcr 5, 1857 (elected),
Nove:-..bcr 15, 1859
Caleb D, I-ioore(vice Bryden, docecised),
March 16, 1860
C. D, Moore,
I'Tovoi.ibcr 5, 1851 (elected)
Villiaii IicHc;^azolds,
Dcccr.bor 12, 1865
Caleb D, "ilocro,
JanuDxy 10 , 1368,
llovonber 2, 1869 (elected).
March 1,
1872,
ITovcmbor 11,
1875,
Dccenber 1,
1G79,
Dcccr.-iber 1 ,
1802,
ITovcmbor 4,
1884 (elected)
Henry Bather ton
t
Dcconbcr 3,
1888
Wn. J. Day,
ITovonber C,
1G90 (elected).
December 1,
1894,
xTovembor 3,
1896 (elected),
ITovcmber 30,
1900,
iloveiabor 14,
1904,
xTovccbcr 3,
1908 (elected),
ITovenber 5,
1912 "
HovQciber 7,
1916 "
J. Robert Bower
1
Hovcr.bcr 2,
1920 (elected),
llovcnber 4,
1924 "
lIover.bcr 2,
1926 "
Dccep.bor 4,
1928,
Dccenber 2,
IS 32
(First entry, p. ^fc)
4. HOUSIIIG, CAR3, AMD ACCESSIBILITY OF THE RSCORDS
After the creation of Piatt County in 1841, so little county "business
was transacted that the erection of a courthouga in Monti cello, the county
seat, \7as not pressed until 1843.-'-
DuG to the absence of county hoard records, from the origin of the
county to March, 1843,2 the date of the earliest records extant, it can-
not he verified where .T.eetings lyerG held. Furthermore, only the ir.eagerest
of information can he extracted from these records as to the details of
construction of the first courthouse. Of this vie are certain: the court-
house was constructed by John Ricketts in 1843-1844, hut it was not for-
mally received hy the ccutity until Janua,ry 5, 1845.3 The building was a
one-story frejne structure. 4 Its cost is unknown. ^
Again the board records are mute concerning this courthouse, its con-
dition through the years - its gradual deteriora,tion and the need for re-
placements - until 1855, when on March 7, James F. Outten, the county clerk
was allowed $5.00 for "writing and sending 5 advertisements to editors for
Publish the building of the courthouse and for writing 5 letters to Bidders
on courthouse and for copping Bill of Specifications for courthouse,"" On
this date, too, a contract was entered into with George Demsey and John
Lowry for the construction of a new brick courthouse.''' A few months later,
June 2, Sheriff G. M. Buffett was authorized to contract for the removal,
by the 13th or 14th, of the old courthouse to the east side of the p-ublic
square so that the new courthouse might be built in its place. 8 But on
June 10, he was instructed to post notice for the remo*v''al of the old court-
1. A full treatment of the selection of Monticello as the county seat
will be foiind in the Historical Sketch.
2. Court Record, v. A, y). 1.
3. Ibid., p. 25.
4. Supervisors' Record, v. I, p. 216.
5. On December 4, 1843, John Ricketts was allowed $50 of $100 which
had been withheld from him as security for completing the court-
house (Court Record, v. A, p. 25). At the time the courthouse was
formally received by the county, John Ricketts was allowed $35 in
county orders to be issued in September, 1845, provided the "door
be finished by that time according to contract." Ibid., p. 45.
This constitutes all information contained in the co\inty board
records concerning cost of the courthouse.
6. Court Record, v. B, p. 49.
7. Ibid., p. 53.
8. Ibid., p. 58.
- 69 -
- 70 -
Housing, Ccro, end Acccs-
aibility of tlio Hccords
house on or before Juno 21 and its solo at auction on the 14th provided
the purclip^er did not remove it "beyond tlie Units of Monticello, tlio coui>-
ty reserving the right of continued use for one 'joox iiftor salo.l
Hie nevr courthouse was a tvra-story briclc building 55 feet long and
50 feet doqp. It had a cupola v;hon first constructed but this was demol-
ished in a storm md never rc^ilacod. Tiiorc v/oru seven rooins on the first
floor: the offices of the coix.ty clorl:, probate Judgo, sheriff-collector,
troasv-'or- assessor, surveyor, school co-nmirasioncr, .-did circuit clorl:. The
second floor wo.3 finished into ?. circuit courtroon and jury rooms. <^ The
nev; bvi-lding v;as used for the first ti:r:0 on Ju:-.c 15, 1857. Its cost, with
all incidentals, tanounted to $11, 244. 77. ^
Wiile it vfas in use for •.•Imost a half century, this courthouse was
never ■?. burden to the county in vny appreciable w,?y. Tlius, in 1859, the
structure \jvs vrlued at $1<3,000 rnd vr.s insured for iff;, 000; and as late r,s
lc30, ins\irance of $5,000 was c-rriod, a difference of only $3,000 after
tv/enty yc.?a's of use.^ This would indicate low de;;jreci?.tion, if the mouiit
of insurance con serve rs a br-.sis for judging vpIuo. A new roof laid in
1857 at r. cost of $1,850, as veil as varj'L^t^ ^uacunts expended in different
yeojrs -r-^r^coQcXr-ig about $4,000, constituted the only n-,intonrnce costs on
this corj;.-thouse. In these anonnts rxo included sxich "iunrovements" as nev;
Vaults built in 1857 at a cost of $237.37, rnd a fireproof safe purchpisod
in 1881 for the sum of $65.50.5
In tiue, hov/ovcr, this courthouse fell into ■■oor physical condition
and bccciic a subject of criticise of the circuit court and juries on urixf
occasions." Typic?! of this rJ.verse judgment is the report of the grrnd
jury to the coxuity board on Karch 5, 1901:
"We find that Deed Record Books, Mortgasos ?nd niscellaneous records
now fill the vault in the Circuit Clerk*;; room to its fullest capacity
and that nev; books and now records ccnnot be properly ccred for pnd that
1. Court Record, v. B, p. 51. In the short historicr'l sketch of Piatt
Coirity recorded in Supervisors' Record, v. I, p. 215-17, it is stated
, that the courthouse was moved to the west side of the public squrre
where cvcntu,?lly it burned doTyn.
2. Com-t Record, v. B, p. 53,181; P-^st -nd Present of Piatt County .
Illinois, p. 15.
3. Court Record, v. B, p. 145,145.
4. Ibid., p. 430; Supervisors' Record, v. E, p. ^i05.
5. Co\U't Record, v. B, p. 443,455,434,485,532; County Court Record - Lav;,
V. C, -o. 25,81,112,134, 219, 228, 240-42,24'--50; Suof^rvisors' Record, v.
D, p. 174,175,212,216,311; Supervisors' Record, v. S, p. 12,52,238,
239^,450,478.
6. Supervisors' Record, v. E, p. 50; ibid., v. E. p. 205,409.
- 71 -
Housing, Care, and Acces-
sibility of the Records
all records, instruments, d^eds, fJid so forth, not returned to their o\vn-
ers, and all court files and i-^apers of ovory character, are kept in the
general office in wooden cases affording no fire protection at all. We
also find that the circuit clerk's office is poorly lighted ejid that the
wooden cases are not sufficient to take proper care of the files. And on
exejnination of the County Clerk's office we find the vault full and papers
of information piled on the floor. Also that the files of all the Estate,
G-uardifJiship, Coimty Court Files of cases tried in the coiinty since its
organization, including tax record and other ir.portant papers, are kept
in an open room i.rithout any fire protection whatsoever. As to the
Treasurer's office, they only have one room for the hooks in current use,
hence all recordr, arc not protected in the least."!
At the regular supervisors' meeting held Septemher 10, 1902, the county
hoard expressed itself in favor of huildin=-? a new courthouse. The question
of issuing bonds to the £.mount of $100,000 for the courthouse and repair of
the jail received the overr.-helir.ing support of the co-anty electorate when
submitted to it --.t the general election held November 4. Preliminary
conferences were held with groups of architects to formulate plans of pro-
cedure relative to the matter of erecting a new courthouse, eJid building
pud finance committees were appointed. 2 On December 15, the board author-
ized the immediate issuance, ,?x.d nosotiation for the s?.le, of bonds. These
wore purchased by the First National Bank of Monticello, Januf-.ry 20, 1905. "^
An additional sura of $12,500 was subscribed by the citizens of Monticello. ^
FinaJicing having thus been completed, the board proceeded to negotiate
for the construction of the courthou3e and, on April 2, 190;^, entered into
a contract with Architect J. W. Royer of Urbana, Illinois, to draw the plans
cjid specifications and to supervise biiilding oper-'.tions, P.ll of which v/as
not to exceed a cost of $80,000, including his commission of five percent. 5
On May 12, W. P. Lodge was awarded a contract to build a temporary vault
for the sum of $.-50. This vault was a brick building 22 by 40 feet and 11
feet high. The floor was granitoid and the roof of tin. To further safe-
gua.rd the records that were stored there, the walls were covered with asbes-
tos sheeting, and its double door was lined with asbestos ".nd covered with
iron.^ Furthermore, provision war, made to Iccf.te the various county offices,
during the constriiction period, in the following places: the county judge,
county clerk, and circuit clerk in the to\?n hall; the treasurer in the^
Andrews Building; on the west side of the square; the state's attorney in
the R. J. Aver Building on the south side of the sauare; pjid the sheriff
with Clyde H. Ryder (party not known) in the C A, Totman Building on the
north side of the so^xare.'''
1. Supervisors' Record, v. H, p. 409,
2. Ibid., V. I, p. 3,33,45,46,48.
3. Ibid., p. 46,48,51.
4. This amount was collected in 1904 (ibid., p. 258),
5. Supervisors' Record, v. I, p. 91-93,
6. Ibid., p. 109.
7. Ibid., p. 111.
- 1?. -
Ecur.ijisi C:rc,.-'nc1. Accoa-
r.ibi.lity oi tl\o Records
Bids, to bo rGturnoa "cy July 1, 1903, v/oro advortisod for, cu^d on
July 8, tlio ,;orLtr;;.ct foi- the construction vreri-r v/as av/ordod to H. B. Walter
of lr:a\'illo for $64,480, out on the follov/in^ dcy chrnecs in specif icr.tions
v.'crc ecaIc riid the cauouiit r.?,isod to ¥75,000.^ HSio contrr>.ct c^llsd for do-
livciv of the building before July 15, 1904,*^ bxit the v/orlc did not proceed
on the tine scheduled, r(.3 on AUcTant 15, 1904, the follovdri.T contracts v/crc
awso'ded: Vfcstern Gas Fixture Company of Toledo, Ohio, for electric lidat
fixtures, $1,475'; H. P. Dodge, for Venetian, blinds, $600; r^.d J. V^ Jtidrown
of Cli-:to:i, lov;^ for frescoing, $^,000.'^ A fcv; months b'-:forc this, on
iipril 16, contr-'.cts vore lot to the Van iDorn Iro:i Vfoi'lcs Cor.ippny for met,"!
furriiturc for $-1,409,26, end to the A. K. A.idrov;s Conrp-T;;iy for wood furni-
ture for $3,031,25.4
Vilic.t caused the delay in finishing,- the cotjrthouse is not apparent froM
perusal of the county borrd records, but it wr-.s finally £=nd officially ax>*
cepted on April 16, 1905, ^ Hie entire cost v^-^.s $75,541.6
As originally built, this courthouse V7?,s three stories high and had
an une::ca.vctod basement. Built of brick v/i th stone trim, the structure vras
'\Q feet in heij^it, 00 feet in depth, ejnd QTj f:;0t in length. The style of
oTchitoctvjre is typical Geor-~ion-Colonial. Tiir.s beautiful courthouse stcnds
on the bcrrsvccd .;;!3:ouiids of th,? public square, botv;een Washington and Main
streets, pad State and Ohrj-tor streets. Thcro pro t\iO cntrrnces, the prin-
ciorJ 'no boin^ on Main Street, the othor on Wtshin^^ton Stroet.
In 1953 the basement ws excavated and the first floor completely re-
modeled -.dth the help of the Worl'is Pro'jress Aininistration at ? cost in
excess of v;X),000, but the exterior pppearanca vws not changed.? By this
imorovnuonli, additional storage spaco for records, among other things, vcs
provided, -Zic arr.-jngenont of officos ajid vfiolts enhances the bvdlding' s
vrluc for governments! uno from tho standpoint of cosy access by the pv.blic,
and efficient use by county officirls. (ior detailed floor plans of covu't-
house, end ^^'rengeaent of officos, see pages 7S-82.) Incidentally, thin
courthov.se is one of the fcv in the state that hou.ses practically ?11 cou:i-
ty recoL'ds, O-nly the .-ccords of the county hone .-re not stored in the
courtlior.ce, r>iid these, consistin:; of only four volumes, are kept in the
stev/rrd'r. office at the home, two uiles wer.t of llonticello on E.?.D. I!o. 2.
1. S-jci-visoi's' Eocorf, v. I, p. 143,151,153.
2. Ibid,, -o, 153.
Z, Ibid., p. 2'ir<-45.
'i. Ibid., p, 302.
!5. Ibid,, ;o. 518.
6. Ibid,, p, 524.
7. Ibid., V. T, p. 503-5,369.
- 73 -
Housing, Care, and Acces-
sibility of the Records
The distrihution of records in the depositories in the Piatt County-
courthouse is such that only 401 record volximes, or sixteen percent, are
kept in the offices, while 2,084 voliines &re stored in the vaults. A^ain,
151 files, or eleven percent, are stored in offices, while 1,145 files are
kept in vaults. All miscellaneous unboiind materia-l is kept in the offices.
(For allocation of records in the depositories according to offices, as
well as percenta.ges of records stored therein, see cha.rts on pages 74 and
75; for detailed informa-tion on the individual depositories, with a descrip-
tion of facilities for the housing of records, see charts on pages 76-78,)
Provisions for careful maintenance of records, with a view towa,rd their
"best preservation, have been carried out. County hoard records frora the
establishment of the county to March, 1843, or for the first two years, are
missing or have never existed as such, the gap never having "been satis-
factorily explained. Other records for the same period are listed both in
this inventory and in the inventory of coxmty records by Professor Theodore
C, Pease. 1 Where records were in poor condition the co\anty board has exer-
cised its power to order transcriptions made, s.s in the case of the record
of original lajid entries which was ordered transcribed February 2, 1862. ^
Binding and repair of record volumes are under the direct supervision of
the county board. The system of indexing and filing records follows
practices generally adopted and employed in other coimties in Illinois.
1. See entries: 1,37,41,56,58,63,74,76,82,86-89,157,150,162.197,198.201,
209,221,222; Theodore Calvin Pease, The Coionty Archives of the State
of Illinois . V. Ill, Bibliographical Series, in v. XII, Collections
of the Illinois State Historical Librr.ry (Springfield: Illinois State
Historical Library, 1915), p. 515-22.
2. Supervisors' Record, v, C, p. 283.
- 74 -
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Second Ploor
- 82 -
-e==t:
-T^ M 1=--! N'
I
Grand Jury
Room and
Law Library
I
I
3
I
Public
Lavatory
Lav.j
Ladies'
Waiting
11 Room
il
I
1
P^^^^
Men' s
Waiting
Room
Jury Room
i []
.iii
Je- ,1
;en-!:
Mr
1 Lav
.=:-.■ C— I
1^-
©=■=©
i
=ii
Q)-
Circuit Court Room
3"
TWT
^
.1
IN
Jury I
Room
1
1
•iOl-
lot I
:Steno
Lawyer' s
Room
k
Ladies'
Jury
Roo
il
Kooia ..
p Circuit |[
([ Judge '
Third Floor
(First entry, p» 95)
5. ABBREVIATIONS, SYIffiOLS, A13D EXPIAIIATORY NOTES
alph. alphabetictil(ly)
app. appendix
arr. arranged, arrangement
Art Article
assr* assessor
atty. attorney
aud. - -. auditor
bd. .board
bdl bundle ( s )
bldg. building
bsmt • basement
cf, confer, compare
ch. . chapter (s)
chron, chronological (ly)
cir. circuit
elk. clerk
co« county
coll. collector
cont • ■ - ■ contiiiued
cor • coroner
ct c ourt
dept. department
ede edited, edition
f.b, file box(es)
fedo filo drawer(s)
f,, ff. and following (page, pages)
fl. floor
f m, , form
ft. feet
gen. general
hdgs • hea dings
hdw. hand-v.Titton
hivys . high\\'ays
ibid. ibidem (in the same place)
i.e. id est (that is)
111. Illinois Reports (Supreme Court)
111. App. Illinois Appellate Court (Reports)
111. S.A. Illinois Statvites Annotated
in. inch(es)
L. Laws (of Illinois)
mi . " mile ( s )
n. footnote (s)
no ( s ) number ( s )
N.Y/, Northivestern Reporter
off. office
p. page(s)
- 83 -
- 84 -
Abtraviations, Symtols,
and Sxplanatory Notes
pr. printed
Priv. L Private Lar7s (of Illinois)
pro . probate
rec ■ recorder
R.L Revised Laws (of Illinois)
rni ro ora
H.S. Revised Statutes (of Illinois)
sch. , school (s)
sec section(s)
sep. senarate
Sess Session
sh. •• sheriff
Sp Special
strm storeroom
supt superintendent
surv surveyor
treas. treasurer
twp ( s ) to'vnship ( s )
U.S.R.S United States Revised Statutes
U.S.S.L. United States St:'.tutes at Large
V. ■ volx;xie(s)
ve t veterinar isji
vice in place of
▼It vault
— current
1. Despite inaccuracies in spelling and punctuation, titles of rec-
ords are shovm in the inventory proper exactly as on volumes and file
"boxes. The current or nost recent title is used as the title of the entry,
2. Zxrlanatory additions to inadeq'::Ate titles and corrections of
erroneous titles are enclosed in parentheses a:id have initial capitals.
3. In the absence of titles, supTjlied titles are capitalized and
enclosed in parentheses.
4. In the title set-up, letters or numbers in parentheses indicate
the exact labeling on volumes or file boxes. If the volumes or file boxes
are ^onlabeled, no labeling is indicated.
5. Title line cross references r.re used to complete series for rec-
ords kept separately for a period of time, and in other records for dif-
ferent periods of tine, as in 3ntry 24, "1907 — in Supervisors' Record,
entry 3." Thej' are also used in all artificial entries - records which
must be shov/n separately under their ovm proper office or section heading
even though they are kept in files or records appearing elsevhere in the
inventory, as in entry 5, "In (Miscellansouj; Fapevii), entry 82." In both
instances, the description of the n&ster entry shoe's t?ie title and entry
number of the record from which the cross referenco is cade, as in entry
- 85 -
Abbreviations, Symbols,
and Explanatory Notes
3, "Also contains Record of County Officers' Semiannual Report, 1907 — ,
entry 24; . . ," Dates shown in the description of the master entry are
only for the part or parts of the record contained therein, and are
shown only when they vary from tliose of the master entry.
6. Separate tliird paragraph cross referoncos from entry to entry,
and "see also" references under subject headings, are used to show prior,
subsequent, or related records which are not part of the same series.
7. inhere no explanation of the beginning or for the discontinuance
of a record is given, and where no cross reference appears, the informa-
tion explaining such beginning or discontinuance could not be ascertained,
8. Unless the index is self-contained, an entry for the index im-
mediately follows its record ontry. Cross references are given for ex-
ceptions to this rule.
9. Records may be assumed to be in good condition unless other-
wise indicated,
10, On maps and plat records, the names of author, engraver, and
publisher, and infonnation on scale havo been omitted only v/hon theco
data were not ascertainable.
11. Unless otherwise specified, all records are located in the
county courthouse.
6. County Ot'fi c e s
a n d
Their Records
■-4)
(First entry, p. 95)
I. COUMY BOARD
In Illinois, the county board is that body v/hich exercises the
corporate or politic pov;er of the county. 1 In Piatt County, since
1841,2 three bodies have successively acted as a county board; the
county commissioners' court, the county court, and the board of super-
visors.
The Constitution of 1818 provided that there should be elected in
each county, for the purpose of transacting all county business, three
commissioners whose term of service, powers, and duties should be regu-
lated and defined by lav:.'^ The first General Assembly denominated the
comiaissioncrs a court of record, styled the county commissioners' court. ^
Four annual sessions were required to be held for six days each, unless
the business should be completed sooner; additionally, any one of the
commissioners had pov/er, upon giving five days notice to the remaining
commissioners and the clerk of the court, to cull a special court which
had the same authority as at a regular session.*^ The first commissioners
v:ere elected for an irregular termj° subsequently, it was provided that
they should be elected at each biennial general election;*^ and by an act
of 1837, the term was lengthened to three years and staggered, with one
new commissioner elected annually. Thereafter, the commissioner v;ho
was longest in office was to be recognized as the presiding officer of
the court. Compensation, originally sot at the sum of ^2.50 for each
day's attendance in holding court, •'■'^ later was reduced to $1.50. H In
1821, provision was made for the removal of commissioners for malfeasance
1. R.L. 1827, p. 107; R.S.1845 , p. 130; R.S.1B7 4, p. 306.
2. Piatt County was croated in 1841 (L.1841, p. 71).
5. Constitution of 1818, Schedule, s e~." '4 .'
4. L.1819 , p. 175.
5. Ibid., p. 175, 176.
6. Ibid., p. 100. The commissioners were to continue in office from the
election held on the fourth Monday in April, 1819, until the first
ITednesday in August, 1820, and until their successor- wore elected
and qualified. Not until 1821 v;as provision made for the election of
such successors ( L. 1821 , p. 80).
7. 1-1821, p. 80.
8« L.1837 , p. 103,104. In 1838, to initiate the procedure, the throe
commissioners elected drew lots marked one, t'.vo, and three years to
determine length of term.
9. Ibid., p. 104.
10. L.1819 , p. 176.
11. R.L. 1827, p. 205.
- 89 -
- 90 -
Co^oTity Board
or nonfeasance of duties, with proceedings as in criminal cases ;^ when the
first criminal code v'as enacted in 1627, the penalty v?,,'r, modified to a
fine of not nore than $300, rith re"r.oval froni office only upon recomnenda-
tion of the jury.* Vacancies resulting from any cause r/ere filled by spec-
ial election upon order of the clerk of the court to the district judges of
election.^
In 1848 when Illinois adopted a ner; constitution, the county com-
missioners' court was discGntim;^d. In its place, the constitution pro-
vided for an adiJinistrative body to "be composed of .-ui elected officer,
the CQi.mty judge, suid such nunber of justices of the pesco as should be
required by lar.^ In the follc^ing le^-islative session, the (reneral
Assembly provided for the el;-2ction of two justices of the locace to sit
vdth the county judge to transact county business. ^ Their term of office,
like that of the county jtidfre, was set at four years. ^ This body, styl-
ed the county court, Tvas required to hold four sessions annually, and when
so sitting r.ad all uower, jurisdiction, and authority fornerly conferred
upon the county ccuunissionors' court,''' The compensation of the coi.uity
judge was originally set at $2.50 for every day of holding- court. 3 In
1855 the amount was increased to $3.00.^
The ne.v constitution also directed the General Assembly to provide
by general la\;, for a township or£.?Xiization •'jrider which any county might
crganii'.e whenever a majority of the voters in the county should so de-
termine. ^0 3y provision of the subsequent enabling acts,-l a board of
suv)ervisors, whose members were to be elected one in each township an-
nu;'.lly,12 ^.3.3 created to transact -^11 county business in counties adopt-
ing township organization. 13 n^e board of supervisors was to meet for
1. L.1831 , p. 30. Conviction further c-sxriod disqualification from
holding office for one year.
3. R. L.1837 , p. 145.
0. j..L.18o7 , p. 104. "0 election was required to be held if the term
of the com;nissinner vacating office would have expired within six
months froi'i the date of vacancy.
4. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 16, 17, 19.
5. L.1849, p. 65, 66.
6. Constitution of 1848, Art. 7, sec. 17; L.1849 . o. 62, 65, 66.
7. L.1849 . p. 55.
8. Ibid., r,. 53.
9. L.ie55 . p. ISl.
10. Gonstitition of 1848, Art. VII, 00c. 6.
11. L.ie49 , p. 190-324; L.lSSl . p. 35-78. The later law repealed and
was a cor.rplete substitute for the earlier, but so far as their effect
on the sphere of couxity government is concerned, there was almost no
difference between the two.
12. L.1849 . p, 192; L.lBc^l . p. 3?.
1"^- kil^:-!' F- -'^2-4; L.1851, p. 50-52.
- 91 -
County Board
one regular session a year with the provision that special meetings
might be held when convenient .-'■ The board menbers v;ere compensated
at the rate of $1.50 a day,^ and a fine was provided in the sur.i of
.$250.00, for refusal to perform, or neglect of, duties. ^
Piatt County was governed by a county court from 1849 to 1860
when tovmship organization was instituted. In 1870 Illinois adopt-
ed a new constitution which, Vv'hile continuing the provision for tovm-
ship organization in counties so electing,^ provided for a different
form of county board to supplant the county court as an administra-
tive body. This board was to consist of three officers, styled
county commissioners, and by subsequent legislation, was given all
powers, jurisdiction, and authority formerly vested in the county
court when acting in its administrative capacity." As Piatt retain-
ed township organization from 1860 to the present, the county has not
been affected by this change.
Since 1874, population has been recognized as a factor in local
representation on the board of supervisors. In that year, each tovm
or city, in addition to its regular supervisor, became entitled to
one assistant supervisor if it had four thousand or more inhabitants,
two if sixty-five hundred, and one more for every additional tv/enty-
five hundred. The assistant super-'/isors, v;hose terms run concurrent-
ly with those of the regular supervisors," have no pov;er or duties as
tovm officers, but are members of the county board and enjoy the sam.e
powers and rights as other members. The population requirements in
this respect have since changed.
1. L.1849, p. 202; L.1851, p, 51. In 1861 it v;as provided that special
meetings could be called upon request of one third of the members of
the board (L. 1861, p. 236), Since 1099 the board has been required
to hold two"Fegurar meetings ( L. 18 09, p. 363).
2. L.1849, p. 203; L.1851, p. 52. InTS61 compensation vms increased
to '$'2.00 a day ( l718 GT, p. 238).
3. L.1849 , p. 203,204. "This fine was reduced in 1851 to .'!;200 (_L._185j.,
'pi 52'), Subsequent legislation reduced it still further and added
the more frequent penalty for misfeasance, disqualification for office
( R.S.18 74, p. 1080).
4. Piatt C'ounty adopted tovmship organization in 1859, but the change
viSlS not effective until 1860,
5. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec, 5,
6. Ibid., sec. 6; L. 1 87 5-74, p. 79,80.
7. R.S.1874, p. 1075.
8. L.195T ,'~p. 1116.
9. H.S.1874, p. 1078,1080; L^19£5, p. 605; L.1929 , p. 774; _L.J_931, p.
905,907; L.1933, p. 1115.
- 98 -
County 3ocTd
but hr.vc not .^J^fected Pi.-.tt Co^jnty.l At present itr. "borjrd of syper-
vir.orG hcs ci^lit members. The tern of office of supervisors, lengthci>«
ed in 18G9 to tvro years, 2 v,t.s further cxtondod in 1929 to four yecrs.o
Compensation was incrcr\sed from $1.50 to $5.00 p. d-^y in 1919,^ lov/orcd
to $4,00 in 1953,5 and rr.isod r^Tin to $o.00 in 1937,^ vdth on alloviu.
nnce of five cents per mile for nooossrry travel.
Tho functions of the Illinois co\ir:ty borxd, in contract to its
leiTpl st.r.tus, have undergono little: ch-ui^c since tho ')cginning of strto-
hood, the development being norrly one of rccrction ?nd increasing coift-
plcxity of duties within r. v;oll-dciincd ?nd norjly r.tr.tic sphere of
authority oxid. jurisdiction. The law establishing the court of county
conmiGsioncrs conferred upon it jurisdiction in rll matters concerning
county reveniie, ' Of this basic provision, ncaxly all other statutory
powers ox the court can be considered extonrsionsj somo, enunciated in
the scHC lav;, rlre?viy show such a logislativo vic\^rnoint. The court
was given pov/er to regulate and impose the covnty tuT., and to grcjit
such liconses as might a,lso bring in a revenue; additionally, it was
given authority over rll public roads, canrJs, turnpiko roads, ^-nd toll
bridges. Q Other legislation by tho first Goncr.-l Assembly gave the
court pov;cr to buy and soil lots whereon to erect county buildings c^\d.
to contract for their construct! on; ^ later, in tho case of the court-
house at lcaj3t, tho court v/as docl?xed to have the caro fold custody of
the property rnd the right to m,?kc certain disposition of it.-^° Caro
of the indigent was also made a function of the court; it v.'as required
to m?i;c appropriations, to bo levied fuid collected in the sane manner
as other county revenue, for their support. As rn extension of this
fisc!2l fTinction» it was required to appoint an overseer of the poor
in every tov/nship and establish a county poorhouse if necessary. ^-^
Fiscal control over school Irnds v/as exorcised at first solely tlirough
the coux'j^s pov;er of appointment of the trustees of school lands;12
1. In 1931 a different set of population requirements was applied in
counties of one hundred thousand or more inhabitants ( L.1951 , p.
908), T\70 years later the aiffcrontiating fijfjire v;as reduced to
ninety thousand ( L.1933 , p. 1116). Piatt County vnth its popula-
tion of 15,588, according to the 1930 U, S, Census, was not affected
at cither time. Pop):lation E-jJlctin p. 9.
2. L.1339 , p, 109; L.1917 , p. 793; L.1925 , p. 605.
3. L.19:09, p, 774,775; L.1951 , p. 906.
4. L.18^19 , p. 203; L.1857 , p. 183; L. 1871-72 , -n. 444; L.1919 , p. 5G9.
5. L.19o3 , 0. 615.
6. L.19 37 , p. 601.
7. L.1319 , p. 175.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid,, p, 237,238.
10. L,1845 , p. 128.
11. L.1819 , 0, 127; L,1839 , v. 138,139.
12. H.L.1827 , p. 366.
- 93 -
County Board
after the creation of the office of county school commissioner,^ firmer
control was effected throu£;h the medium of reports which the commissioner
was required to submit to the court. ^ The court also had authority to
examine the full accounts of coirunissioner.^ Other functions of the court
were its duties in relation to elections and juries. It had authority to
establish precincts,^ to appoint judges of elections, 5 and to allow com-
pensation to officials for services and stationsrj'.S IXvo panels each of
petit and grand jurors were required to be selected. The former vrere
enrolled on the list of taxable inhabitants; the latter only to be free-
holders or housoholcfp-rs.
The substitution of the county court for the county commissioners'
court produced no important changes in the sphere of government; neither
the second constitution nor the enabling legislation made any original
pronouncements vri-th regard to the powers or duties of the former. °
Tlae revised law on tovmship organization, in the main, only made
more inclusive and definite the powers of the board."' The board was
given authority to purchase and hold any land within the county for the
use of its inhabitants; it Y/as also given authority to malce such con-
tracts, and to purchase and hold such personal property as might be
necessary to the exercise of its powers; moreover, it could make such
orders for the disposition, regulation, or use of t!ie corporate property
as might seem to be to the interest of the inhabitants. Explicit also,
was the authority to audit all claims against the county, and the accounts
of such officers as were not otherwise provided for by law. ^^ The board
was also given power to appropriate funds for the construction of roads
and bridges in any part of the county if/henever a majority of the whole
board might deem it proper and expedient.
1. R.L.1829 , p. 150.
2. L.1831 , p. 175; R.S.1345 , p. 500,501.
3. L.1851 , p. 175,
4. L.1821, p. 74, There i/vas in this law and in many of those follomng,
a limit to the number of precincts v;hich could be established. See
L.1825 , p. 168; R.L.1827 , p. 256; R. 1.1829 , p. 54; L.1855 , p, 141.
Prior to 1821, each toimship iTas declared by statute to constitute
an election district ( L.1819 , p, 90) »
5. L.1819 , p. 90.
6^ Ibid., pc 99,
7, Ibid,, p. 255; L.1823, p, 182.
8, Constitution ofTMFT Art. V, sec, 19; L.1849 , p. 65.
9, The act of February 17, 1351, previously cited ( L.1051 , p. 35-78).
10» Ibide, p. 50.
11« Ibid,, pe 51*
12, Ibid,
- 94 -
CoTinty Board
From the enabling legislation of the present constitutional period
is dravm. the following brief statement of the principal functions of the
county board.
1. The purchase, sale^ and custody of the real and
personal property of the county.
2. The examination and settlement of accounts against
the county.
3. The issvianco of orders on the county treasury in
pursujmce of its fiscal administration.
4. The examination of accounts concerning the receipts
and expenditures of county officers. •'•
5. The supervision of elections; 2 the selection of
juries; 3 the construction and maintenance of rosids
and bridges; 4 the care of the indigent, infirm, aJid
disabled. 5
6. The appropriation of funds necessary to the effect-
ing of its functions;^ the raising of such sums
through tcLxation; aiid in general, the management
of county funds ai".d county business.*^
At all times the county board has had a clerk who has served it in
a ministerial capacity. The law creating the county commissioners' court
provided that it should have such an officer, and gave it the power to
appoint him.S This appointive -nower was rescinded in 1837 by an act which
made the office elective. ^
When the county court supplanted the county corardssioners' court,
the office of clerk of the latter body ceased to exist. A new office was
created by statute, that of clerk of the county court. -^"^ When the court
sat for the transaction of county business, its clerk was in effect a
clerk of a county board; legal recognition of this distinction was given
in the provision that the clerk should keep his records of the court's
administrative actions separate from those of its judicial actions. For
this purpose two sets of books were to be kept. 11
1.
R.S.1874,
p. 306,307.
3.
Ibid., p.
456,468.
Ibid., T3.
630.
4.
Ibid., p.
310.
5.
Ibid., p.
757,758.
6.
Ibid., p.
307.
7.
Ibid., p.
306,307.
8.
L.1819, p
. 175.
9.
R.L.1837,
p. 49.
10.
L.1849, p
. 63.
11.
Ibid., p.
66.
- 95 -
County Board - General (l)
Index
In 1870 the now constitution cstp.blishcd the office of county clerk;!
sutsoquently, the Gcncr?,! Assomhly provided th?,t the county clerk should
act as clerk of the counly'boardS as veil as clerk of the coiinty court. 3
From that time to the present, the county board has "been served in a min-
isterial capacity "by this officer.
The n.^jor record kept by the clerk for the county board is the min-
utes of its proceedings. This record includes orders to issue warrants on
the county treasury; the board's action on committee reports on roads and
bridges, indigent and infirm relief, schools, taxation, etc.; and its
orders in regard to juries, licenses, and ether matters within its jur-
isdiction. ^
The clerk also keeps, separa.tely, a register of orders issued on the
county treasurer and lists of jury venire. He files and preserves all
bills of accounts acted on by the boejrd, ajid has custody of reports re-
quired to be made to the boai'd by the county treasurer, various school
bodies, and a number of other r.fficers.^ An obli:i,ation to preserve a
multiplicity of other records is clearly set forth in the general provis-
ion requiring the clerk to have the care and custody of all papers apper-
taining to, as well as filed in, his office. °
General Index
1. MISCELLAN20US IITOEX, 1830~. 1 v. (l).
Index to various co\inty files includinrt:: Supervisors' Records (Files),
entry 2; Cancelled Coinity Orders, entry 12; Special Assessments Village
of DcLand, Improvements, entry 34; Improvements-City of konti cello, entry
35; Special Assessments-Village of Atwood, entry 36; (Delinquent Taxes and
Objections to Taxes), entry 40; (Birth and Stillbirth Certificates), entry
48; Death Certificates, entry 53; (K!arria,se Licenses), entry 55; Flection
Data, entry 76; (Miscellaneous Papers), entry 82; Executions, entry 121;
Bonds, entry 168; Road Tax and Railroad Tp;x List, entry 253; Lake Fork
Special Drainage District of Champaign, Piatt and Douglas Counties (Files),
entry 323, showing najTies of pc.rtios and file box n-omber. Arr. alph. by
names of parties or subject. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 3.
Co. elk. ' s vlt., 1st fl.
1. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 8.
2. R.S.1874 , p. 322.
3. Ibid., p. 260.
4. L.1819 , p. 6,28,77,127,334,335,352; R.L.1S29 , p. 151-53; L.1831^ p.
39,90; L.1855 , p. 131,132,156; L.1359 , p. 71,72; R.S.1845 , p. 287-342,
403,437; L.1849 , p. 66; L.1861 . p. 234-37; R.S.1874 , p. 322.
5. R.L.1827 , p. 366; L.1845 , p. 169; R.S.1845 . p. 136; L.1861 . p. 237;
R.S.1374 . p. 325.
6. Ibid., p. 322.
- 96 -
Ccunty Board - Proceedings
of ■^oerd; Disposition of
Accovuits
Proceedings of Pofird
(See also entry 82[xxTii])
2. SUPEHVISOHS' RZCORDS (Fii-s), 13SC— . 94 f.o. (42-581 not con-
cecutive) .
Files of co-'jnty 'board papers, including resolutions, reports of county nurse,
pivysiciar.s' coutracts, appointment of ju.:tices and conrt.i'bles, fees and
salaries of elected officers, enorgency relief resolutions, reports of all
county officars, fin;-)iicirJ. reports of tovn;ishir supervisors, organiZt.tions
of conjr.itt3cs, alnsi'.ouse report;-!, tavern licenses, clains against county,
cconty ordeis, surveyors' roports, and mothers' pensiori applications. Arr.
by date of docvja;nt. For index, see entr:.- 1. Nat\ire of recording varies.
10 X 5 7. 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., ist fl.
Z. S-.'?I?.''ISOHS' RICCRD, 1843--. 19 v. (A-S). Title varies: Court
P.ecord, V. A, B, 1343-59; Co^anty Court Record - Law, v. C. 1860-65.
Record of proceedings of "board of supervieors a:id its predecessors, the
county coc:iissionsrs' court pjid county court, including lists of appoint-
ments to co'unty offices ai;d off l.ci;! bonds; appropriation;? of fronds for
roads, schools, co-onty buildings, blind and pauper relief, bounties, and
county exiienses; settlements of danages; record of action on and list of
cc".inty clains. Contains proceedings of early .justice courts. Also con-
tains Kecord of County Officers' Semiannual P.er)ort, 1907 — , entr;/ 24,
and ^-a-noTt of County Superintendent of Schools, 190o — , entry 25. Arr.
by date of proceedincs. Vo ind?x. Hd'-. £00 p. 18 x 13 x 3. V. A,
1843-47, cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.; v. E-Q, 1543-1920, co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl.; v. K,S, 1C21— , CO. cl>. 's ct:\ , 2nd f 1 .
4. TZ'TJ H?Ar PJ:CCRT3, 1866-1912. 2 v.
Record of town roadr, showing location of proposed roads, method of
obtaining ri ht of way, and action of board of supervisors. Arr. by date
of board neeting. So index. Hdw. 200 p. 16 x 10 x 1. Cir. clk.'s vlt.,
2nd fl.
Disposition of Accounts
(See also entries 2, 3, 82[xii, xv, xvi, xxiv,
xxxiv], 271-288, 305, 308)
Auprcpriations
5. A???.C??.IATION LZDGSR, 1933—. 2 v.
Account ledger of all aiacintr. appropriated for and warrants issued aigainst
ccunty funds, including county hir-h'7-.y, rrothers' pennion, institute insurance,
.jury warrants, and witness fees, shoving date, amo-jnt, and nunber of warrant,
naae of payee, and balance in f-ijind. Also contains Motor Fuel Tax Allotment
Record, 1935-35, entry 23. Arr. aloh. by nsne of f-ond, No index. Md'-. on
pr. fm. 150 p. 10 x 12 x 1;\. Co. clk.'s '"crk rn., 2nd fl.
- 97 -
County Board - Disposition (6-11)
of Accounts
Bills and Claims
6. (FILES OF CLAIMS), 1853--. In (Miscellaneous Papers), entry 82.
Files of all claims against the cotmtj'', showinf^ date, amount, and purpose
of claim, name of claimant, and date cf filing, Hdw. , hdvir. on pr. fm. ,
and typed,
7. LAKE FORK - BILLS ALLOYED, 1915—. 1 f .b.
Sills allowed the Lslce Fork drainage district for naterial, labor, r-iid
surveyors' and corardssioners' clains. Arr. by date of bill, llo index. Hdw.
10 X 4| X 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Registers of County
Orders
8. COTOTTY ORDER REGISTER, 186C— . 7 y. (P-H),
Register of county orders issued, including highway warrants, 1927-35,
motor fuel tax warrants, 1932-35, jury certificates, witness fee orders,
and birth report warrants, showing purpose, date, nunfoer, and amount of
order, to whom payable, and date of payment, Arr. by order no. No index,
1860-1900, hdw, under pr, hdgs,; 1901--, typed under pr. hdgs. 250 p.
17 X 15-a- X 2|, V. B-F, 1860-1929, co. clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl.; v. G,H,
1930—, CO. clk.'s off,, 2nd fl,
9. COUNTY HIGHWAY WARRANT REGISTER (and Motor Fuel Tax Warrant
Register), 1936—. 1 v.
Register of county highivay and motor fuel tax vrarrants issued, shovrtng
number and date of warrant, name of payee, purpose of payment, and date
of cancellation by bank, Arr. by date of warrant. No index, Hdw,
under pr, hdgs, 25 p. 12 x 12 x 1, Co, clk.'s work rm, , 2nd fl.
For original "vreirrants, see entry 12; for prior register, see entry 8,
10. REGISTER OF ORDERS OF MAIN AID SUBDISTRICTS OF LAKE FORK SPECIAL
DRAINAGE DISTRICTS, 1903—. 6 v. (Main District, 1903—, 1 v.;
Subdistricts, 1903--, 5 v.).
Register of orders of Lake Fork special drainage district, showing date,
order number, name of payee, and amount and purpose of payment. Arr,
by district no. No index, Hdw. under pr. hdgs, 150 p. 12 x 9 x -tt,
Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl,
11. RECORD OF BOARD OF HEALTH CERTIFICATES OF DEATH WARRANT (Register),
1903-16. 1 V, 1917 — in County Clerk's A.ccount with Registrars,
entry 84,
Register of warrants issued in payment for death reports, showing names of
deceased and attending physician, date of death, number of warrant, and
date and amount of payment, Arr, alph. by name of physician. No index,
Hdw. under pr. hdgs, 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2. Co, elk, 's vlt,, 1st fl.
- 98 -
County Board - Disposition (12-18)
of Accounts
Ceincelled County
Orders
12. CAiTCELLED COUKTY ORDERS, 1851—. 27 f.b. (60-545 not consecutive).
Cancelled county ordors, including county hi,^way, cotor fuel tax, and
mothers' pension warrants, and coroner' s Jury certificates, showing date,
PuTiount, and purpose of warrant, and nane of payee; also contains cancelled
jury certificates prior to 1908. Arr. by date of warrant. For index,
see entry 1. Hdw. on pr. fm. 10 x 4i x 14. Co. elk. ' s vlt., 1st fl.
13. COinCTY ORDER STUBS, 1851—. 95 v.
Stubs of coonty orders, including Jurj' warrants and mothers' pension
warrants, shovdng nane of pL\yee, ;.wount, purpose, date, and number of
order, a:id nane of payer. Arr. by d.o,tc of order. No index. Hdw. on
pr. fn. 175 p. 18 x 3 x 1. Co. elk. 'a vlt., 1st fl.
14. 30U:^Y CLAIMS (Stubs), 1507 1 v.
Stub record of bounty clains cllcwed for killing crows, showing number,
date, rnd ojaount of warrant, number of crows exteminated, naiie of town-
ship, ai^d signature of pa^'ec. Arr. by date of warrant. Mo index. Hd;v.
on pr» fn. 150 p. 18 x 14 x 1. Co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
15. DEATH WARRAirrs (Stubs), 1911—. 1 v.
Stubs of warrants issued in prynont for reports of deaths, shovdng niunber,
date, and anoioat of warrant, nane of ^oyee, number of reports, and date
of nailing or receipt by person making report. Arr. by date of warrant.
No index. Hdw. on pr. fn. 100 p. 18 x 13 x |. Co. elk. ' s work re. , ?nd fl,
16. BIRTH WAHRAilTS (Stubs), 1918—. 1 v.
Stubs of warrants issued in pr,ynent for birth reports, showing nunber,
date, and amount of warrant, nrjne of payee, nur.ber of reports, end date
of nailing. Arr. by date of warrant. No index. Hdw. on jr . fn. 100 p.
18 X 12 X -1. Co. elk. ' s work rra. , 2rtd fl.
17. PAID DRAINAGE ORDERS, LAKE FORK SFECIAi DRAINAGE DISTRICT, 1907-10.
1 f.b.
Cancelled orders of the drainjige district for commissioners' services,
labor, and materials, orders for pa:/T.ients on contracts, fees of engineers,
contractors, and attorneys, and paid orders for election notices and
election expenses. Arr. by date of order, rio index. Hdw. on pr. fn.
10 X 4| X 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl.
Pen sion Fund AccQ-'Juats an d
Application s (See also en-
tries 142-144, 206)
13. RECORD OF BLr.D BZilEFITS, 1903-21. 1 v.
Register of atiplications for blind benefits, showing date, nane and age of
applicant, degree of blindness, aiid amount of benefit. Arr. by date of
application. Indexed alph. by name of applicant. Hdw. under pr. hdgs.
100 p. 14 X 9y X 1. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
For subsequent record of amounts paid for blind roliof , see entry 3.
- 99 -
County Board - lifenagement of (19-23)
County Properties and Roads
19. (MOTHERS' PENSION CLAILS), 1913 — . In (Lliscellaneous Papers),
entry 82.
Original claims for mothers' pension, shoiiring date, amount, and purpose
of claim, names of mother and children, place of residence, age of each
child, amount a-warded by court, and date of filir^. Hdw. and typed on
pr. fm.
Management of County Properties and Roads
(See also entries 2, 3, 82[x, xiv], 125, 339)
Bond Issues
20. REGISTER OF BONDS, 1927—. 1 v. (l).
Register of school and high-may bonds issued, shewing name and number of
road or school district, purpose of issue, date and amount of bond, rate
of interest, and date of maturity. Arr. by date of bond. Indexed by
school and road district nos. Hdw. on pr. fm. 160 p. 18 x 12 x 2.
Co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
Insurance
21. INSURANCE POLICIES, 1917—. 1 f.b.
Insurance policies on county property, shoTs.dng name of insurance company,
description of property insured, and amount, expiration date, and type of
policj'-. Arr. by date of policy. No index, Hdw. on pr. fn« 10 x 5 x 14.
Treas.'s vlt», 1st fl.
22. INSURANCE RECORD, 1937—. 1 v.
Record of insurance policies on county property, shovri.ng number and amount
of policy, description of property insured, expiration date of policy, and
name of insurance agency. Arr. by date of policy. No index. Hdw. under
pr. hdgs, 50 p. 9 x 12 x -jj. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Motor Fuel Tax Allot -
ments
23. MOTOR FUEL TAX ALLOTMENT RECORD, 1936—. 1 v. 1933-35 in
Appropriation Ledger, entry 5.
Record of allotments of motor fuel tax to the various highway funds,
showing name of fund, date and amount of allotment, route, section,
receipt, and claim numbers, explanation, amounts of receipts and dis-
bursements for each fund, balance available, and amounts transferred
from one fund to another. Arr. alph. by name of fund. No index. Hdw,
on pr. fm. 100 p. 10 x 12 x 1. Co. clk.'s vrork rm., 2nd fl.
- 100 -
County Board - Reports (24-26)
to Eoard; Jury Lists
Reports to Board
(See also entries 2, l^, a2[xxix>-
xxxii], 2:57, 288, 302)
24. RECORD OF COUirTY OFITICSRS' SEMIAJn-IUAl REPORT, 1877-1905. 1 v.
1907— in Supervisors' Record, entry 3.
SemiannTial reports of kJ.1 couz.ty officers to chairman of county board,
showing date and amount of earnings, and names of p.3iyeo and payer. Arr.
by date of report. Ko index. Kdw. 300 p. 12 x 18 x 3. Co. elk. ' s vlt.,
1st fl.
25. REPORT OF COUIITY SUPERir?E>T21-!!r OF SCHOOLS, 13B8-1905. 1 v.
1905— in Supervisors' Record, entr^r 3.
Report of count;'- superintendent of schools to the boaxd of supervisors,
showing the condition of the cour:ty school f-onds. Arr. by date of report.
Indexed alph. by name of superintendent. Edw. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2. Co.
die's vlt., 1st fl.
Jury Lists
(See also entries 82[xxi], 237, 259)
26. LIST OF JURORS, 1872—. 2 v. (1 not numbered, 2).
J'arj' lists showing nanes, addresses, and occupations of jurors, dates of
selection a-id drawing, and court of service. Arr. "oy date of selection.
Ko index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 300 p. 16 x 12 x 2. Co. clk.'s off,,
2nd fl.
(Next ontry 27, p. 106)
II. COUNTY GLLRi-:
Forerunner of the present county clerk was the clerk of the county
comnissioners' court. This court was the administrative body in Piatt
County from 1841, the date of organization of the county, to' 1849. The
Constitution of 1848 and la^vs of 1049 created a new judicial branch of
county government presided over by the county judge and entitled the
"county court," and provirlod for the quadrennial election of a "clerk of
the county court." In addition to his duties ar, clerk of the judicial
court, the incumbent was also to act as clerk of the administrative
branch of government which consisted of the county judge and tv/o jus-
tices of the peace. In 1859, Piatt County adopted the tovmship form of
government necessitating the election of u board of supervisors to sup-
plant the county court as the county administrative body.^ Accordingly,
the clerk of^the countv court became ex-officio clerk of tlie board of
supervisors.
The above-mentioned clerks all performed the duties of county clerk
as well as those of clerks of a judicial or administrative body. In fact,
legislation frequently referred to these inc\imbents as "county clerks"
when defining duties relating to county business as distinct from their
duties in other capacities. The Constitution of 1870 specifically pro-
vided for a county clerk v;ho has continued to act to the present in this
capacity, and also as clerk of the county board"^ and clerk of the county
court. The revised statutes of 1874 adopted the use of a distinction of
titles for each of his ex-officio capacities, applying the title "county
clerk" only when referring to his dutir,s as such.^ It is the performance
of those duties that gives rise to the records dealt with in this section.
The first clerk of the coimty commissioners' court of Piatt County
was elected in 1841, v.-ith a four-year term; •'■'-' a two-year term became ef-
fective in 1847.^1 A bond of CI, 000 vms required."'-^ The clerk of the
1.
Constitution of 1818, Schedule, sec. 4; L.1819, p. 175.
Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 16,18,19; L.1R49, p. 62,63.
3.
L.1649, p. 65,66.
4.
Constitution of 1848, Art. VTI, soc. 6; L.lCSl, p. 38,45,50.
5.
L.1851, p. 52; L.inCl, p. 237.
6.
Constitution of 18fO, Art. W, sec. 18 and Art. X, sec. 8.
7.
R.S.1874, p. 322.
8.
Ibid., "p. 260.
9.
Ibid., p. 260,322.
10.
L.1837, p. 49.
11.
L.Tb"?:?, p. 28. Effective in 1847.
12.
L.lg"W, p. 176,177; R.L.1353, p. 143; R.S.1845, p. 131.
- 101 -
- 102 -
County Clerk
coimty conrt served for a four-year term, and was bonded in the sum of
$3,000.1 The Constitution of 1870 and the revised statutes of 1874, es-
tablishing the office of coxinty clerk, provided for his election for a
quadrennial term, and that the amo-unt of his bond be set by the county
board.2 The bond is entered upon the records of his office, and deposited
with the clerk of the circuit court. Ke is required to take oath, and is
commissioned by the Governor. 3 The county seal is kept by the clerk and
is used by him when required.
In general, the co\inty clerk's performance of his functions results
in records relating to the following: taxation, vital statistics, li-
censes, and bonds. Various officials and agencies having authority over
these natters report to, or deposit records with, the county clerk who in
this manner acts as a coordinating factor in the execution of local and
state affairs. In regard to other of these natters, the clerk is required
to perform duties on his own behalf and retain the records resulting from
such performance.
Illustrations of both of those procedures may be foxind by examining
the various duties and records relating to taxation. The county clerk
must procure all books and blanks used in the assessnent and collection
of taxes, and list in such books the lands end lots subject to taxation*^
they are then turned over to the supervisor of assessments who has the
township assessors enter the valuations against each piece of property
listed. The supervisor completes revisions eind corrections upon complaint
of property owners and returns the books in duplicate to the county clerk. 5
Personal property assessments are handled in essentially the same manner.
The board of review then makes adjustments on complaints and eqxializes
assessments between districts, certifying corrections and revisions to the
county clerk. S The county clerk then reports the entire assessment list
1. L.1849 . p. 63,64.
2. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 3; R.S.1874 , p. 321.
3. R.S.1874 , p. 321.
4. L.1367 , p. 105; L. 1871-72 . p. 19,20,32; L.1903 , p. 297. During the
period of the first constitution such books arid lists were prepared
by the auditor of public accounts and turned over to the clerk of the
county commissioners' court ( L.1825 , p. 173; R.L.1827 , p. 329; L.1839 ,
p. 5,4; L.1847 . p. 79).
5. The first assessment officer was the county treasurer ( R.L.1827 ,
p. 328-36), In 1839 this function was performed by the district assessors,
TS±io received from the county clerk copies of the auditor's transcripts
( L.1339 , p. 3,4). The treasurer resumed these duties in 1844 ( L.1843 ,
p. 231) , retaining them -until the institution of township organization
in 1850 resulted in township assessors acting in each township ( L.1851 ,
p» 38). The treasurer now acts as ex-officio supervisor of assessments
( L.1898 , p. 36-44).
S. L.1898 . p. 36-44.
- 103 -
County Clerk
to the State Tax Commission for equalization, the equalized list is after-
wards used hy the county clerk in ascertaining tp.x rates and extending
taxe s . 1
The State Tax Commission also certifies to the coimty clerk the as-
sessments on the capital stock of corporations and railroad and telegraph
companies, it "being the duty of the clerk to extend these taxes and retain
the "books after use by the collector. ^
The "books are next turned over to the county collector who, after
collection, returns lists of collections, together with lists of ■uncol-
lected real and personal property taxes. 3 The county clerk attends all
tax sales, prepares a list of a.11 sales and issues duplicate reports
thereof, records affidavits of purchases of property for taxes, and keeps
a record known as the "tax judgment, sale, redemption, and forfeiture rec-
ord. "4
An extensive group of records of vital statistics is kept "by the coun-
ty clerk, including records relating to births and deaths, marriages, phy-
sicians, and midwives. The first legislation in re.';^ard to the keeping of
vital statistics was included in the act for the establishment of medical
societies.^ One section of this act made it the duty of every physician
to keep a record of births, deaths, and diseases occurring within the vi-
cinity of his practice, and to ttansmit such record to his medical society,
whereupon the record was to be published in the newspapers. In 1842 it was
provided that a parent could appear before the clerk of the county coramis-
sionera' court and make affidavit as to the birth of a child, and the eld-
est next of kin of a deceased person could similarly appear and make affi-
davit as to death. 6 It is probable that the tenor of the above-mentioned
laws explains the fact that no birth or death records existed in Piatt
County prior to 1877, the first law, 1819, requiring no public record to
be kept, and that of 1842 providing that affidavits "may" be made. The act
of 1877 creating the State Board of Health required that all births and
deaths in the county be reported to the county clerk by the attending phy-
sicians or accoucheurs.'^ Teeth were put into these and subsequent laws by
providing penalties for noncompliance. In 1901, death certificates issued
by physicians, midwives, or coroners were to be presented to town clerks as
the local registrars who issued burial permits and forwarded the certifi-
cates to the county clerk.^ In 1903, certificates of death were to be
1. L .1919 , p. 723.
2. L. 1871-72 , p. 11,13,16; L.1957 , p. 1011,1012.
3. L.1849 , p. 124,125; L. 1871-72 , p. 55; L.1951 , p. 759.
4. L. 1338- 59, p. 15; L. 1871-72 , p. 40; L.1879 . p. 250.
5. L.1819 ,' p. 233.
6. L. 1842-43 , p. 210-12.
7. L.1877 , p. 209.
8. L.1901. p. 302,303.
- 104 -
County Clork
t-uraocl over to the Ste.to Bopxi of Health, which then delivered to the coun-
ty clorl: all certificates so received. 1 Later it was provided that the
tcnship clerks should nnnually dcposrt with the county clerk a. conrplote
sot of the records of "births, stillbirths and deaths rc{^ stored with thcti,
Tlie co'or.ty clork was charged with binoing and indexing, or recording, and
saffv-koeoing of such records. 2 JVom the earliest date, the legislation in
regard to these matters provided that the clerk retain the abstracts and
certif icr.tes, keep a record of births and deaths, maintain alphabetical
indexes, end issue certifi-ja copies of cortificr.tos upon request. The
clerk hpj slso been rcquircsd to prepare a register of all physicians and
accoucheurs in the cointy.S
Since tho org<?ni2ation of Piatt County in 1841 the county clerk, or
at that time clork of the county commissioners' court, has boon required
to file raarricgc cortificatos rnd certificates of parents' consont to the
marrir^c of rainors.'^ The clerk w^s p1 so required to keep a sopcj-atc re-
gister of nc-jrriagcs in addition to his filo of cortific-.tcs.^ Before
1877, persons desiring to marry were rcqu.ircd to r.ccuro lioonscs from the
cou:aty clerk only v;hon thoy h-id not previously published such intention,
but in that ycrx the securing of -^, license wrs mojlo aandatory.^ Althougli
a rocord of applications for nnrria^e licenses has been kept by the clerk
in this cornty since 1876, an act of 1937 afpears to be the first legis-
lation requiring the maintenance of such a record. ? The spjne act provides
that persons desiring to mpxry shall present to the county clerk a cer-
tificate setting forth that such persons ?ro free from venereal diseases,
such certificates to be filed with the application for license to mpxry.°
Marriage records have been keot in Piatt Covnty since its orga-iization in
1841.
The couiity clerk is chprged with a number of duties relating to oleo-
tions: pre:orring and issuing blpnlc ballots, 9 poll books, ^0 Q^d certif ica.tcs
of election, 11 and keeping a record of registers of elections, 12 peti-
tions, 13 pjifi, nrj-ked ballots, 1'^ tally sheets, 15 ond election returns which
1. L.lOOn , p. 315-18.
2. L.1915 , -5. 667.
3. L.i:77 , -0. 309.
4. L.1&19 , p. 27; H .3.1845 , p. 354; R.S.1374 , p. 694.
5. R.L.1327" , p. 239.
6. L.1377 , -0. 130.
7. L.1937 . p. 909.
8. Ibid., -0. 910.
9. L.1891."-o. 113; L.1911 , r,. 311.
10. L.1371-72 . D. 386.
11. L.1319 , p. 96; L. 1821 , p. 79; L.1823 , r>. 64; L.ia&5 , p. 175.
12. L.13o5 , p. 59; L. 1871-7 2, p. 583.
13. L.1911 , -0. 310,311; L.1929", r,, 422.
14. L.1C91 , p. 118.
15. L.1G35 , p. 143.
- 105 -
County Clerk
are transmitted to him by the judges of election. 1 Abstracts of returns
were forinerly prepared by the clerk, but these are now originated by the
election commissioners or judges of election and deposited vfith the clerk.
Returned ballots are destroyed by the clerk six months after election, pro-
vided no contest in which the ballots are needed is in progress. 2 In
1889, V7hen returns of elections for scliool trustees were made to the county
clerk, he was charged with furnishing to the county superintendent of
schools a list of all such trustees. 3 Y'.O'^ the clerk does not enter into
the procedure, the school trustees canvassing the returns and certifying
directly to the superintendent of schools. "^
The bonds of a number of officials are required to be transmitted to
the clerk for filing and entering in a book m.aintained for that purpose, 5
Justices' of the peace and constables' oaths, bonds, and securities are
aoproved by the clerk and entered in a separate book in accordance with
statutory requirement. This book shows the date on ivhich each justice of
the peace and constable was sworn into office and the date of commission
by the governor. Resignations from these offices are made to the county
clerk who enters such fact in the justices' and constables' record. 6
The clerk is also charged with issuing licenses to taverns,"^ ferries, 8
etc., and keeping records of the same. Other recordations m^de are: records
rclf^ting to estrays;9 registers of professionals, includinf, physicians, 10
midwives,!! dentists, 12 chiropodists, 13 and veterinarians; 14 list of coun-
ty officers; list of town officers which is furnished annually by the town
clerk; 15 record of notaries public; 16 and book of state civil service
rules, 1'^ Referring to his list of to'jrn officers, the county clerk reports
annually to the State Department of pjblic Health the names and addresses
of the supervisor, assessor, and clerk of each tovraship, and the dates of
the expiration of their tenns of office. IS
1. L.1819, p. 86; L.1821 , p. 77; L.1B2.^ , p. 64; L. 1871-72 , p. 389,
2. L.1917, p. 444.
3. L.1889 , p. 271,322.
4. L.1909, p. 352.
5. R.S.1845, p. 396,397; L.1861, p. 237,238; R.S.1874, p. 325; L.1895,
p. 188.
6. L.1895 , p. 188.
7. L,1819, p. 77-79; L. 1933-34, Second Sp. Sess., p. 64-66.
8. R.L.1827, p. 221; K.S.1874, p. 530,
9. L.1819 , p. 206,207; R.S,1374, p, 433.
10. L.1877, p. 209; L,1899 , p. 275; L.1923 , p, 441, 442.
11. Ibid,
12. L,1881 , p. 79; L.1899 , p, 273; L.1909, p, 279; L.1933 , p, 711.
13. L.ie99, p. 280; L.1955, p, 995,
14. L.1917, p, 591,
15. L.1861. p. 226; R,S.1874 , p. 1077,
16. L,1871-72, p, 575; R.S.1874, p. 721; L.1875 , p. 88.
17. L.1905, p. 115.
18. L.1925, p. 480,
- 106 -
County Clork - Taxation (27)
Included in the provision that the county clerk be charged TiV^.th the
care and custody of all rccordr, , books, and papers appe^rtaining to, and
filed or deposited in, his officel are those duties as clerk of the county
beard, v:heroin he is required to record tl:e procGcdra^s of the board and
to fie all their books, records, and accounts. 2 Also included are his
record-keeping duties as cx-officio clerk of the county court, vn.th its
i'osultinn; duties in relation to probate Matters. 3 The clerk is also re-
quired to keep jury lists^ and a book in vrtiich he enters details as to
orders up'n the trca-urcr. Ho is further required to ;.-.c.intain alphabet-
ical indexes of all records and papers in his office, end to supply copies
cf these records or papers to any person upon rcqucct and payment of the
required fce.^
Taxation
(Soo also entries 82[iii,ix,:rviii,xxxv] ,
95, 125, 262-270, 302, 321-324, 326-323, 331)
Li st of Taxa blo^ Property,
Levies
27. ASSESSORS' BOOKS, 1B53— . 433 v,
(Piatt Coujity, as a whole, 1853-59. 7 v,
Bcmcnt Tovrnship, 1860--. 40 v. Hissing: lOGl-73, 1875-84, 1886,
1888-94.
Blue Hidge To^mship, ]860— . 14-7, Missing: 1C61-34-, 1887,
1897, 1898.
Cerro Gordo Tovmship, 18G0— . 56 v. llicsing: 1861-74, 1884,
Goose Creek Tovmchii), 1G60— . 55 v, Liissing: 1836, 1891, 1892,
1894,
liontioollo Tovmship, 13G0— . 67 v. Lissing: 1886, 1891, 1G92,
1894.
Sangamon Tovmship, 1860—, 64 v. liissing: 1872-74, 1886-80,
1921.
Unity Tovmship, 1860—. 50 v. liissing: 1861-7G, 1882-84, 1887,
1893".
'.Villov; Branch Tovmship, I860—. 05 v. ICissing: 1862-73, 1880,
1S81, 1886, 1895).
Lists of taxable roal estate and personal property, shovring nciae of ovmor,
de^^cription of property, tax spread, and assessed valuation. Real estate
arr, by sec, ti-.-p., and range nos.j personal property arr. alph, by name
of taxpayer. No index. P?d\v. under pr. hdgs. 140 p. 17 x 14 x 1 l/2. 414 v.,
1860-1933, CO. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl.; 24 v., 1934—, treas.'s off., 1st fl.
1. R.S.1874, p. 322.
2. L.1851, p. 239; R.S. 1874, p. 322.
5. ir.S .lS74 , p. 260.
4. TBii., p. 630.
5. Ibid., p. 521.
- 107 -
County Clerk - Taxation (23-35)
23. ABSTRACT CF AS^SESSJiLOTS AIJD T/JC£S, 18SS— . 5 v. ( 4 not n-arcbcred.
3).
SuEffiiariea of county, city, tovv-n, ajid school valuatiors and tax extensions,
shov-'i!xg date, nar.e of tov/nship, valuation of real and personal property,
anov-nt of levy by the various tax lev^'ing bodies, back tax and interest,
tax spread, and grand totals cf valuation. Arr. by date of summary. No
index. Ildv.'. 2 iC p. 12 x 14 x 1. 2 v. not manbered, 1866-1901, co. cllr.'s
vlt., 1st fl.; 2 V. not nvanbered, v. o, 19C2 — , co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
23. RAILKCAD TAX EOCX (Telephone and Telegraph), 1867—. 8 v.
Lists of taxable railroad property, shov/ing date, name of railroad company,
equalized value, rate, tax spread, and total tax; also contains telegraph
and telephone tax record, lS7o — . Arr, by date of levy. No index. Kdw.
under pr. hdgs. 350 p, 18 x 12 x 3, Treas,'s vlt,, 1st fl,
50, SPECIAL ASSESSim-IT T.^ LIST OF TUSIXLE SLOUGH SPECIAL DIIA.DIAC-E
DISTKICT, 1929—, 1 v.
Special assessment tax lists of Trenkle Slough drainage district, shov/ing
name of ov/ner, description of land, and date and amount of lev^^', Arr, by
daiie of levy. IIo index, Kdw. 300 p. 18 x 14 x 2. Co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
31. SPECIAL .lSSii3Ji.j;iIT 3CCK, L^llli FORIC DRAIiyAGE DISTRICT, 1930—.
1 V. (1).
Special assessment rolls siic-.ving ov.'ner's name, description of land, acreage,
and date and amot.mt of assessment. Arr. by date of assessment. Ho index.
Typed. 500 p. 17 x 14 x 2w-. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
32. SPECIAL ASSESol^JT LIST, DELAND SPECIAL DS.\INAGE DISTRICT, 1935 — .
1 V.
Special assessment tax lists of lands in drainage district, including de-
scription and location of land, name of ov.mer, classification of land, and
date and amount of tax levj, Arr. by date of levy. Ho index. Kdw. under
pr. hdgs. 100 p. 18 x 14),- x 2. Co. clk.'s off., "'2nd fl.
33. SPE-CI.iL ASSESSIEI'JT RECORD, 1892-1931. 2 v. (l, 1892-1916; 2,
1910-31).
Record of special assecsraents for improvem'snts, shov/ing nature of improve-
ment, description of property assessed, sxio'jnt and date cf assessment, and
name cf owner. A:^r. by date of assessment. No index. 1892-1909, hdw. on
pr. fm. ; 1910-31, tj-pcd on pr. fm. 150 - 750 p. 18 x 12 x 2 - 16 x 14 x 4.
Co. clk.'s off., r,nd fl.
54. SPECIAL ASSESSIZiJTS VILL.iUE CF DEL.1I;D, IIP RO^'EJ.ENTS , 192G. 1 f.b.
Lists of special assessments to pay the cost of grading, paving, curbing
and drainage on Fighway Avenue aiid certain intersecting streets in Village
of DeLand. . Arr. by date of levy. For index, see entry 1. Nature of
recording varies, 10 x 4-^ x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
35. II.PR0\'EI2;iTTS - CITY OF IIOi-ITICELLG, 1926. 5 f.b. (E-K, K).
Special assessment papers pertaining to improvements in City of i!onticello,
including assessment rolls and plans for street paving, ornamental li-'jht-
ing system, and cewerc, Arr. by date of docui'-ient. For index, see entry 1.
Nature of recording vibrios. 10 x 4^^- x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl.
- 108 -
County Cloi-k - Taxation (38-40)
36. SPSCIAL ASSES Sl-'EIT^S - VILLAGE OF AIIVOOD, 1924. 2 f.b. (l, j) .
Special assessment lists rjid. construction ?lans with specifications on the
paving, grr^iir.?;, mC. cvirting of cert-in streets in the Village of Ati.-rood.
Arr. o-j dt\te of doc\air:ent. For inde:c, see e::try 1. ITature of recording
vrrics. 10 :c 4-^ x 14. Co. elk.' a vlt., lr,t fl.
37. LAI3) Y3TRY BOOK, 183o-5C. 2 v.
Lrnd entry "book shov/in.f^ d?.te of ontn-, name of -patentee, rnd lej^pJL descrip-
tion oi" Ic^xd, Tlie second volvxie is r. copy end duplic^.te of the ori^inri
Ir^id o-.-.tri' oook, r^ivin.- a uoro conplotc list of lands nnd o^mors, Arr, by
dr.to of c:itry. Ori;3in.'>J., no index; copy, indexed rlph, "by name of party
nntcrin- Irrid. Hdw. 100 - 150 p. 1G x 10 :: 1 - 18 x 12 x 1. Co. clk,»s
vlt., 1st fl.
Collecti o ns, Abatenont
38. COLLICT'OR'S BOOKS, 1850—. 604, v,
(Piatt Co'.v.ty, ?j a vmole, 1850-53, 6 t. Hissing: 1851-52,
1853, 1859.
3cra3r.t Tovr.-.3hip, 186(j — . 75 v. Hissing: 1855.
Blue Hidge To^vrship, 1360 — . 74 v. Hissin:*: 1870, 1835.
Ccrro Sorio Tov.'nship, 1350 — , 75 v. Hissirv^:: 1885.
Goose Creei- Tovmsiiip, 1860 — . 76 v,
ilonticello Tovmship, 1360—. 74 t. Hissing: 1879, 1893.
Saneamon Tovrnship, 1860~. 74 v. Missing: 1873. 1876.
Unity Toraship, 1360—. 75 v. Missing: 1881.
Tlfi-llow Br&ich Tow.ship, 1850 — . 75 r. Missing: 1G95).
Lists of ta;:os collected on all rosl estato and personal property, shov/ing
in whose nano assessed, description, ascessod value, tax spread, dato of
payment, rnd nscae of pac'ec; also contains dog license tag records. Rcrl
estate arr. "by see, tvrp,, ond range nos,; personel property arr, alph, ':^y
nnae of ovrner, ITo index, Hdv;, under or. hdgs, 100 p. 17 x 14 x 1^,
554 V,, 1350-1930, co, clk.'s vlt., Int il.; 40 v., 1931—, troas.'s off.,
1st fl.
39. XUITTY CLERFJS ACCOUiTT •-UTS. COuTTY OOLLEGTOH A2TD COUIITY ITREASulER,
IZio — , 2 V,
Accoir-.ts of county collector ^i:d county treasurer v;ith county clerk for tr;c
collections c-nd disbvjrscments, 3hov.-i.ng date, rnount rnd p^orpose of receipt
or disbrraordont, riid nrjno of n.-yce or p:iycr, Arr, by date of receipt or
dir.bva*f;c-.ncnt. Ho index, Kdv, 150 p. 12 x 13 x l|. 1 v., 1886-1909, co.
clk.»s -.-It., l,:t fl.; 1 v., 1910—, co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl,
4C. (DZLII-^-JEH:!? T^lCES /JT? OBJECTIOITS TO TjiXES), 185-^-.
9 f.b. (47, 55, 152, 159, 366, 414, 477, 484, 1 not numbered).
Lists 01? dclinqvijnt tpxcs r^r.d objections to trxes, shovfing date, name of
property ovrnor, description ,?nd locrtion of property, v.-'luation, date due,
araovnt dclinq.ucnt, pcnrJLtics, type and canouiit of objection, and nnncs d'f
conplaiiicnt and attorneys. Arr, by dato of list, For index, see entry 1.
i:atu;:'c of rccotding vxios, 10 x 4 :c 14 - 15 :: 4 x 24, 8 f.b., 1854-1935,
CO, ci::,«r, vlt., 1st fl.; 1 f.c., 1934—, co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
- 109 -
County Clerk - Taxation (41-45)
41. LIST OF UiPAID T^JiES ON REAL ESTATE, 1841-46. 1 v.
Lists of lands upon which taxes are unpaid, showing name of owner, descrip-
tion and location of land, date and amount of taxes and costs due. Arr.
by due date of tax. No index. Kdw. Paper poor. 100 r. 12 x 8 x 1. Co.
clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Judgment, Sale, Redemption ,
Forfeiture
42. T.IX JUDGLilKT, SAL/i, REDEI,PTICiI AilD FCi?F2ITURE R2CCRD, 1881—.
9 V. (G-0).
Record of tax judgments, sales, redemptions, and forfeitures of lands and
tovm lots, showing name of owner, legal description of property, value as
equalized by state board, amounts of state, county, town, road and bridge,
and school dintrict taxes, total amounts of taxes, interest, and costs
due, total amount of judgment, and dates of sale, redemption, and forfeiture.
Tax Judgment Record, entry 43, and Sale and Redemption (and Forfeiture) Rec-
ord, entry 44, fornorly kept separately. Arr. by date of judgment. No
index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 400 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
43. TiU JUDGLIilNT Pi]C0RD, 1858-80. 4 v. (B-D, 1 not lettered). 1831 —
in Tax Judgment, Sale, Redeirpt ion and Forfeiture Record, entry 42.
Lists of lands and tovm lots upon which judgment has been entered for taxes,
interest, and costs due and unpaid, shelving date, name of ovmer, legal
description of oroperty, value equalized by state board, amounts of state,
county, town, road and bridge, and school district taxes, total amount
of taxes, interest and costs due, and total amount of judgment. Arr. by date
of judgment. No index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 103 - 312 p. 16 x 12 x 1 -
16 X 12 X 2h. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
44. SALE AND RiiDEIPTION (and Forfeiture) RECORD, 1858-80. 4 v. (AB,
C-E). Title varies: Tax Sale Record, v.AB, 1858-65; v.C, 1866-75.
1881 — in Tax Judgment, Sale, Redeirption and Forfeiture Record,
entry 42.
Lists of sales, reder^jtions, and forfeitures of lands and lots, showing
name of ovmer, legal description of property, total amount of judgm.ent,
date and amount of sale, name of purchaser, date and by whom redeemed,
amounts of penaltj^ interest, and costs, and total amount of redemption.
Arr. by date of sale or redemption. IJo index. Hdv;. under pr. hdgs. 238 -
320 p. 16 X 16 X 2 - 13 X 12 X o. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
For additional record of forfeitures, see entry 45.
45. RECORD OF FORFEITED LAi^DS, 1872-80. 1 v.
Record of tax forfeitures, showing legal description of property, name of
ovmer, amount of taxes, penalties, costs and interest due, and date of
forfeiture. Arr. by date of forfeiture. No index. Hdw. on pr. fm.
200 p. 18 X 12 X 2. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
For prior records, see entry 44; for subsequent record, see entry 42.
- 110 -
County Clerk - Vital (46-50)
Statistics
45. TAX ATFIDAVIT RSC0E2, 1872—. 3 v. (A-C).
Copies of ?,fiidavits for tax deeds, showing date, nanes of o\mer and
purchaser, le,:al description of property, and amount involved. Arr. by date
of affidavit. Indexed siph. by nane of purchaser . Kdw. on nr. fa. 300 p.
IS X 12 X 5, Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Kat)S and Plats
47. SCHOOL PLATS, 1854--. 3 v. (2 not lettered. A). Last entry 1932.
Title varie?: School Flat Book of Districts, 2 v. not lettered,
1854-65.
Flats of school districts ^is^d for taxation purposes, showing boundaries,
location, and number of each school district, date of recording, and
signature of co-Jnty clerk. "So plats made from 1866-69. Arr. by sec,
tvrp., and range nos. No index. Kand-dravm. 100 p. 8 x 12 x ^. 2 v.,
1854-55, CO. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. A, 1870—, cc . clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
Vital Stc-.tistics
Births r^-iid Stillbirths (See also
entries 8, 18, 82Lxij, 84, 271)
48. (BIHTK AI7D STILLBIRTH CZP.TIFICAT3S), 1877—. 6 f.b. (248, 303,
356, 357, 413, 489).
Birth and stillbirth certificates shov/ing d:.te and placo of birth, name
cJid sex of child, nrjae, residence, color, r-^e, end occupations of parents,
nu-nber of children in family, treatment given child's eyes, certificate
of attending physician, tine of death, period of gestation, cause of still-
Mrth, signatures of attendant, undertaker, and registrar, place and date
of burial, end date of filing of certificate. Arr, by certificate no.
For index, see entrv 1. Hdw. on pr. fm. 10 x 4?r x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl.
49. H2C0FJ} OF BIHTH (and Stillbirth) GZHTIFICAES, 1917—. 4 v. (4-7).
Copies of birth and stillbirth c.?rtificatcn, shewing date and place of birth,
names, residence, ages, color, and occupation of parents, number of children
in family, treatment given eyes, nane imd sex of child, cause of stillbirth
and time of death, and npnes of physician, undertaker, and midwife. Arr.
alph. bj' nrjne of child. Indexed alDh. by surnrme of child. Hd"v. on pr.
fx.. 500 p. 18 x 12 X Z};. Co. clk.'s "vork rm. , 2nd fl.
50. RZC-ISTEH OF BIBTHS, 1677-1916. 3 v. (l-3).
Register of births and etillbirths, showing date and place of birth, names,
address, ages, color, and occupation of parents, number of children in
family, treatment given eyes, and name of child; if stillbirth, cause and
time of dcat.h, and names of physician, undertaker, and midlife. Arr, alph.
by name of child. For index, see entry 51. Hdw. imder pr. hdgs. 500 p.
18 X 12 X 3-^. Co. clk.'s -.^ork rm. , 2nd fl.
- Ill -
County Clerk - Vital (51-5'6)
Statistics
51. INDEX TO BIRTHS, 1877-1916. 1 v. (a).
Index to Register of Births, entry 50, showing names of child and parents,
and record book, and page of entry, Arr. alph. by nane of child. Kdvf.
under pr. hdgs. 200 p. 18 x 12 x 2. Co. elk.'.? vlt,, 1st fl.
Deaths (See also
entries 11, 15, 84, 271)
52. INDEX TO DEATHS, 1877-1916. 1 v.
Index to Death Register (Copies of Death Certificates), entry 54, and Death
Register, entry 55, showing nane of deceased, and book. and page of entry.
Arr. alph. by name of deceased. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 200 p. 13 x 12 r 1.
Co. clk.'s v;ork rrn., 2nd fl.
53. DEATH CERTIFICATES, 1877—. 4 f.b. (248, 355, 374, 490).
Original death certificates shovring place, causa, and date of death, regis-
tration and primary district nuj:.bex-s, personal and statistical particulars,
names of deceased,, informant, undertaker, and physician, medical certificate
of death, and signature of clerk. Arr, by certificate no. For index, see
entry 1. Hdw. on pr. fm. 10 x 4^ x 14, Go, clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
54. DEATH REGISTER (Copies of Death Certificates), 1906—. 3 v. (4-6).
Copies of death certificates, shov;ing name, age, sex, address, personal and
statistical particulars, medical certificate of death, dates and places of
death and burial, signatures and addresses of person reporting death,
undertaker, physician, and registrar, and date of filing. Arr. by date of
filing. For sep. index, 190C-16, see entry 52; 1917 — , indexed alph. by
name of deceased. Kd-w. on pr. fm. 500 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s work
rm. 2nd fl.
55. DEATH REGISTER, 1877-1905. 3 v. (1-3),
Register of deaths, siiowing name, age, sex, address, color or race, and
marital status of deceased, date of birth, t;\rpe of occupation, nan:e and
birthplaces of parents, medical certificate of death, dates and places of
death and burial, names and addresses of informant, undertaker, physician,
and registrar, and date of filing, Arr. by date of filing. For index, see
entry 52. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 500 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s work rm.,
2nd fl,
Carriages (See also
entry 90)
56. (rjU?RIAGE LICENSES), 1841—, 21 f,b. (46-476 not consecutive).
Marriage license returns showing nar.es, ages, occupations, and birthplaces
of bride and groom, names of parents, witnesses, official performing
ceremony, and county clerk, and dates of license, marriage, and return,
Arr. by certificate no. For index, see entry 1, Edw, on pr. fm. 10 x ig
X 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 112 -
Coixnty Clerk - Vital (57-62)
Statistics
57. APPLICATION FOR MAKRIAC-2 LICENSES. 1876—. 23 v. (A-E, 6-11, 1
not labeled, 2-12) .
Applications for marriaf^e licenses, showing date, jxge, residence, birth-
place, and relationship if ar.y, of both parties, .nnd consent of parents
in case of minors. Arr. by date of application. No index. Hdw. on
pr. fm. 300 p. 12 x 16 x 1-g. V. A-E, 5-11, 1 not labeled, 2-11, 1876-
1935, CO. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. 12, 1935 — , co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
58. ILAPRIAGS REGISTER, 1841 4 v. (1 not lettered, 1841-55; A-C,
1841--) .
l/iarriaige register showing date and number of license, names of male and
female, dates of marriage and return, and name and title of official per-
forming ceremony. Unlettered volvune, 1341-55, has been transcribed into
voluiiie A. Arr. by license no. Indexed alph. by name of male. Hdw.
under pr. hdgs. 400 p. 16 x 13 x 2. V. A, E, 1841-1910, co. clk.'s off.,
2nd fl.; 1 v. not lettered, 1841-55, v. 0, ICll — , co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl.
59. RECORD OF MARRIAGE, 1878—. 2 v. (C, E) .
Copies of marriage licenses on state board of health forms, showing number
and date of license, names, ages, race, residences, occupations, SJid places
of birth of bride and groom, names of parents, in case of minor namo of
person giving consent, dato and place of marriage, names of witnesses, name
and title of official performing ceremony, a:id dates of return and registra-
tion. Arr. by license no. For index, sec entry 60. Hdw. on pr. fm. 54C p.
18 X 12 X 3. V. C, 1878-1900, CO. clk.'s off., ^nd fl.; v. D, 1901--, co.
clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
60. INDEX TO MA?ilIAC-ES, 1378—. 2 v. (A, B) .
Index to Record of Marriage, entry 59, showing na-nes of male and female,
date of license, and record book and page of entry. Arr. alph. by naities
of male and female. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. V. A, 1878-
1924, CO. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.; v. B, 1925—, co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Census
61. CENSUS ENU>.ERATI0N OF PIATT COUNTY, 1830. 8 v.
Lists of all inhabitants of Piatt County, showing name, age, sex, and color
of each inhabitant. Arr. alph. by name of twp. No index. Kdw. under pr.
hdgs. 50 p. 10 X 15 X f. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
62. CENSUS BOOK OF PIATT CCUi'ITY, 1850. 1 v.
Census of Piatt County, showing list of all inhabitants, with name, age,
sex, color, occupation, place of birth, value of property, number in school,
number of illiterates; list of persons who died between June 1, 1859 and
June 1, 1860 and cause of death, names of land owners, acreage owned and
cash value, number and cash value of stock, amount produced and value thereof;
a list of colleges, schools, libraries, churches, newspapers; also comments
on pauperism, crime, and wages. Arr. by subject matter. No index. Hdw.
on pr. fm. 100 p. 19g x 14 x 1. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 113 -
County Clerk - Licenses (63-67)
and Registers
Licenses and Registers
(See also entry 82 [v, vii, viii])
Registers of Officers (See also
entry 82[xxii])
63, RECORD OF COMESSIOIJS Al'ID 30KDS, 1842—, 4 v. (2 not numbered,
2, 3), Title varies: Register of Conmissions,
Register of justices of the peace, constables, notaries public, police
magistrates, coroners, sheriffs, state's attorneys, county treasurers,
surveyors, and circuit and county clerks, shelving names of officer and
sureties, title of office, date of appointi^ient or election, date and
ajnotmt of bond, dates of oath, cortndssion or certificate, and expiration
of coirmission, and remarks, Arr, alph, by nane of officer. No index,
1842-75, hdw.j 1876—, hdw. under pr, hdgs, 200 p. 18 x 12 x 2, Co,
clk.'s vlt., 1st fl,
Pr ofessional Liccn s o s and
Registers
64, REGISTER OF PHYSICIAilS MID ACCOUCHEURS, 187S— . 1 v.
Register of physicians, shelving da.te of registration, name of physician,
address, age, number years in practice, and dates of certificate of state
board of health and filing? also servos as register of osteopaths subse-
quent to 1900, register of accoucheurs prior to 1910, and register of
chiropodists subsequent to 1922, Arr, by date of filing. Indexed alph,
by name of physician, Hdv;, under pr, hdgs, 150 p, 18 x 12 x 1, Co.
clk,'s vlt,, 1st fl,
t
65, RECORD OF PHYSICIAIIS' LICENSES, 1877—, 3 v. (l, 2, 2),
Copies of licenses and certificates of physicians, shovdng name, address,
yea.rs of practice, schools attended, date of diploma, years of practice
in Illinois, signatures of examining board, and date of issue of license
or certificate, Arr, by date of issue of license. Indexed alph, by name
of physician, Hdw, on pr, fno 500 p, 18 x 12 y. 2, Co, clk.'s vlt,,
1st fl.
66, RECORD OF ARCHITECTS' LICE1,^SES, 1897--=, 1 v. Last entry 1908,
Copies of architects' certificates, shovfing date, name, qualifications,
and residence of architect, and examiner's signature, Arr, by date of
certificate. Indexed alph, by name of architect, Hdv/. on pr. fm, 125 p,
16 X 10 X l/2. Co, clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl,
67, VETERIIJARY RECORD, 18S9~, 1 v.
Register of certificates issued by Illinois state board of examiners to
veterinarians to practice in the state, shoiving name and address of veter-
inaria.n, certificate number, and dates of issue and filing with county
clerk. Arr. alph. by name of veterinary, No index, Hdw, uiader pr, hdgs,
150 p. 16 X 12 X 1. Co. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl.
- 114 -
Comity Clerk - Licenses (68-73)
aiid Registurs
G8. DEI-:TAL RECORD, 191-:—, 2 v. (l, 2).
Copies of dentists' licenses, shov/inf^ nur.ber and date of license, name of
dentist, nrxies of president, er.e.;.dners, and secretary of board, school of
px-aoticc, end date of filing, Arr. by d&.to of filing. Indexed alph, by
narriO of dentist, Hd";.', on pr, lYi. 200 -d. 18 x 12 x 2. Co. clk.'s vlt«,
Ist fl.
69. DFilTAL SURGrHY REGISTER, 1381-191:1. 1 v.
Register of dontists' lioonsos, shov.'ing nanc, age, nativity, and address
of di;nti3t, date of issriance- of certificate, nane of school, date of
diploma, years of practice in state, and corti.ficate nu',.bcr, Arr, by date
of certificats. Indexed aluh. by none of dentist, Kd'.v, under T^r. hdE;s,
150 p. le X 10 X 1. Co. clk.'s vlt., let fl,
70. OPTOr.ETRY REGISTER, lOlo— . It, L. st entry 1918.
Register of cjtoinctris'-c, sho'vin^ cortificctc naubcr, nar.ie and address of
optometrist, and dates of ccrtifioete and registration, Arr, by date of
registration. Indexed alph. b- nc'.ine of optometrist, lidvsr. luider pr. hdgs,
150 p. 18 X 12 X 1 1/2. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st il.
?c. t ent s
71. FATEyrT .-lEGOIlD, 1867-69. 1 v.
Copies of certificates of patents issued by the United States patent Office,
shotfinf; nane of inventor, 3:ind cf invention, dates of filing and expira-
tion, nane of inventor, and signatures of Scorotary of the Interior and
the commissioner of patents, v/ith the United States Patent Office Seal.
Contains only tv;o entries, regarding rechanical improvements on gas
ctevos. Arr. by date of filing. No index, Hdw, 275 p. 18 x 12 x 2,
Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl,
A^il itia Roll (See also
onti-r 82[x:dii])
72. ENLISTED KEN EI THE CIVIL WAR, 1860-64. 7 v. (Ono volume fo]- each
cf the follo^rlng tcvmchips; Ber.iont, Bluo Ridge, Cerro Gordo, Honti-
ccllo, Sangarion, Unity, and Yfil low Branch) ,
Lists of soldiers enlisted in the Union Ar/.iy fron Pir.tt County, shov-'ing
date, nr-mo, ago, nativity, occupation, and residence of soldier, and nrjies
of ccmp.".ny and rogimcnt. Arr. by date of enlistment. No index. Hdv7.
50 p. 8 X 6 X 1/2. Co. clk.'s lower vlt., tsmt,
Ectr:.ys, J.iC.rkc :.nd
Brand s (Sec a'lso cntr^' 32[xix])
73. ESTR-'.Y RECORD, lS4r.-9C. 2 v. (1 not luttcrcd. A).
Record of stray stock, showing names of owner, appraiser, and justice of
peace, description of stock, dato, and by whom found, and appraised value;
also contains entries from 1840-65, btilonging to Guardians', C^v^vservators',
aud Liscellanoous Fee Book, entr;,'- 195. Arr. by date of entry. 1849-63,
indexed alph. by name of oivner; 1364-39, no index. Ild-.r. 150 p. 12 x 18 x 1,
Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 115 -
County Clerk - Elections; (74-79)
Bonds of Officers
7U. BECOED OF lUBKS XSD BRAITDS, 18Ul-5?9. 1 -v.
Record of stock marks and "brands, showing names of owner and county clerk,
description and location of mark or cropping, and c^ate of recording. Arr.
"by date of recording. Indexed alph. "bj-- naae of owner. Hdw, 200 p.
12 X g X 1. Go. clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl.
Dog Licenses
75. DOG LICE^iSE SZCOBT, I9IS— . 1 v.
Lists of dog license tags delivered and charged to assessors, showing
quantity delivered to each assessor, incltisive nupi"bers on ta^s, arao'unt
of tax, nura"ber returned, and date of par/nent. Arr. "by date of payment,
llo inciex. Hdw. zander pr. hdgs. I50 p. 12 x 16 x -^j. Co. clk.'s off.,
2nd fl.
For prior records of dog tax, see entry 38.
Elections
(See also entry BsCi, xxviii])
76. ELECTION DATA, 1841—. 8 f.'b. (3S. 48, 72, 74, 164, 317, 409, 412).
Abstract of votes, tally sheets, poll "books, records of special elections,
certificates of judges of election, canvass of votes, and list of delegates
to constitutional convention of 1919, with certificates of nomination. Arr.
by date of election. For index, see entry 1. Hature of recording varies.
10 X 4j X 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl.
Bonds of Officers
(See also entries 3, ?2 [xiii], 133, 168, 2U2)
77. JUSTICE Ai'ID CONSTABLE BOND EECORD , 1S:7U— . 2 v. (A, 2).
Copies of bonds and oaths of justice of the peace and constables, showing
names of justice or constable and s^ireties, amount of bond, conditions of
obligation, date and notarial acknowledgment. Arr, by date of bond.
Indexed alnh. by name of bonded official, nd'v, on pr. fra. 57^ p.
12 X 12 X 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
73. DC'CKET CFFICI.VL BOIDS, 1S86~. U v. (1-U).
Record of examination of bonds of county officials, executors, guardians,
administrators, and conservators, showing name and title of principguL, names
of sureties, arid name of estate; if bond of probate official, amount of
bond, court term, date of approval, and orders of court. Arr. by date of
bond. Indexed alph, by name of principal. Hdw. on pr, fm. 200 p.
IS X 12 X 2|. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
79. ASSESSORS' BONDS, 1S99— . 1 v.
Copies of bonds of to'wnship assessors, shiowing date and amount of bond,
and names of assessor and surety. Arr. by date of bond. Indexed alph.
by name of assessor, Hif-.v. on pr. fm. 3^*0 p. 18 x 12 x 2. Co. clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl.
- 116 -
County Clerk - Changes in (80-82)
School Districts; Miscel-
laneous Papers
80. DOG LICENSE BOND, 1881-91. 1 v.
Copies of bonds of dog tax collectors, showing names of principal and
bondsnen, and date, terms, and amount of bond. Arr. by date of bond.
Indexed alph. by name of principal. Hdv/. on pr. fm. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2.
Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Changes in School Districts
81. SCHOOL DISTRICT RECORD, 1927—. 1 v.
Record of petitions for chanf^ing boundaries of school districts, shov;ing
chanr,ss made and dates. Arr. by date of petition. Indexed alph. by name
of district. Typed. 300 p. is'x 12 x Z}<» Co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
Kiscellaneous Papers
82, (KISCSLLANEOUS P/iPEKS), 1830—. 206 f.b. (13-587 not consecutive),
tiiscellanuous papers belonging to various county offices and kept by
county clerk, including:
i. Abstract of votes cest for candidates in national, state,
county, and toivn elections, 1642 — , showing name and address
of officer, title of office, number of votes received, and
dates of election and filing.
ii. Adoption papers, 1867 — , including petitions, affidavits, in-
vestigation reports, and verdicts.
iii. Affidavits for tax deeds and certificates of purchase, 1842 — ,
showing date and oitiount of sale, acknowledgment, and date of
filing.
iv. Appeal bonds, 1911-14, showing names of plaintiff, defendant,
and sureties, date, amount, and terms of bond, nature of action,
and date of filing.
V. Applications for licenses to sell beer, 1933 — , showing date
and number of application, name and address of applicant,
date and place of birth, location of business, signature of
applicant, statement of citizenship, acknowledgment, and date
of filing.
vi. Applications for certificates of good moral character filed
by attorneys adir.itted to the bar, 1891 — , showing nariesof
applicant, witnesses, and court officers, and dates of filing
and court order,
vii. Applications for dance hall licenses, 1936 — , showing date
and number of application, name, address, and place of birth
of applicant, statement of citizenship, statement of character,
location of dance hall, signature of applicant, acknowledgment,
and date of filing.
viii. Applications for hunting licenses, 1903-17, showing date and
number of application, name, age, residence, occupation, phys-
ical description, and signature of applicant, acknowledgment,
and date and number of license issued.
- 117 -
Coujity Clerk - Mi seel- (82 cont.)
laiieous Papers
ix. Application of county collector to county court for credit
for delinquent taxes, 1931—, showine nsune of collector,
dates of application for credit and of appearance in court,
amount of delinquent taxes, description and location of
property, nsx-AO of OTO:ier, and date of filing.
X. Bids of various contractors to furnish supplies, and make
repairs for county, 1928-30, showing date, amount, and
nature of bid, kind of work and material, signature of
bidder, and date of filing.
xi. Birth certificates, 1375-75, showing date and number of
certificate, date and place of birth, name of child, person-
al and statistic:-.! particulars, names of parents and physi~
ci,njis or midwife, signatures of physician and county clerk,
and date of filirg.
xii. Blind relief claims, 1903 — , showing name, age, marital
status, and address of applicant, signature and sworn state~
mont of identification of witnesses, examining physicians'
reports, and dates of meeting of supervisors and of filing,
xiii. Bonds of county officials, 1841 — , shov/ing date, amount,
and obligations of bond, names of principal and sureties,
acknowledgment, oath of office, title of office, and date
of filing.
xiv. Bonds issued by Piatt Co\inty to build courthouse ajid jail,
1903, showing date, number, purpose, and amount of bond,
rate of interest, date of maturity, a,cknowledgment, and
signature of chairman of board of supervisors.
XV. Budget accointt of county fu:ids, 1933 — , showing itemized
list and amouiit of governmental expenditures for each fiscal
year, amount and source of revenue, dates of reports and
award s .
xvi. Cancelled jury certificates, grand and petit! grand, 1873 — ;
petit, 1873, 1903—, showing date, number, and amount of
certificate, name of juror, days of service, mileage, total
amount of fees earned, signatures of clerk and deputy, and
date of cancellation,
xvii. Cemetery deed. Camp Creek, 1899, showing date, legal descrip-
tion and location of real estate, names of grantee and gran-
tor, signatures of church trustees, acknowledgment, and date
of filing,
xviii. Corporation tax schedules, 1909—, showing name and address
of corporation, listed value and description of property,
and date of filing.
xix. Estray papers, 1841-98, including estray notices, and
appraisers' report of value of stock and. damages.
XX. Federal l<md patents, 1830-39, showing name and address of
patentee, date and number of patent, legal description and
location of land, place of issue and recording of patent,
acknowledgment, signature of President of the United States,
and dates of filing and recording.
xxi. Jury lists, 1878, shov/ing name and address of juror, naree
of township, signature of supervisor, acknowledgment of
county clerk, and date of filing.
- 118 -
Couiity Cleric - Misccl- (82 cont.)
laiicous Pcpcrs
x;cii. List of tov/n officers elected, lo41— , showing nemc and address
of officirJ, title of office, precinct iirjnc rnd number, cu^.d
date of filing,
xxiii. Kilitia roll of men subject to nilitoxy service during the Civil
Wox, 1861-52, showing nmric, ace, --^nd ?.ddrcss of conscript, a:id
date of filing.
:cJlv, Motor fuel tax worrr-nts, list of ca:icollcd, 1933—, showing
date, nuiiiber, rnd pvj:r)Osc of cl,?ln, rxiount, n?jnc of clrlnnnt,
r>nd dates of filin'^ rnd crnccllation.
:rr/. lTatur,?Iization pr.pcrs, 1859-1906, inclvidinJir petitions for find
papers, dcclrrations of intention, oaths of .?Ilcgiance, and
find certificates.
xrvi. Oaths of county probation officer, 1930 — , sho\iring date, place,
and oath of office, signature of ofxicid, and date of filing.
x::vii. Petitions to bo?rd of sunervinors, including petitions for
divisions of Willov/ Branch To^.Tiship, 19;"i3; to establish nevr
ro.ods, 1850 egad 1927; .-aid to form voting precincts, 1878.
xxviii. Poll books for primpxy and gcnerd elections, 1841, shov/ing
precinct number, names of voters, c-mdidates, office, rnd tov/nr-
ship, number of votes cast for each cnndidate, totpj. votes cast,
c/fidavits of election judges .--nd clcr.'::s, and d?.to of filing.
xs:i::. Pjyports of auditor to county bo-'Xd on conditions of county fi-
nonces, 1098—, ohovring date, rnount, end purpose of receipts
end er^penditures, iriount of rcppropriation, rccepitulation of p,o-
coimts, total receipts ond oxp ondi tuje s , bdancc available, ccr*»
tificd statement of correctness oy arrlitor, end dates of filing
ond approval.
:ccc. RoDort of drainage conmisssioncrs on condition of swacp lands,
1858-61, showing date rind amount of money expended from drrinatTjC
funds for iriTorovcmonts, matcrirl, and sdary, rnd date of filing,
yz'Zii, Report of heating system at county frrm, 1935—, showing date
of inspoction aid of report, report on equipment, and rcmpxks.
x;:::ii. Reports (to'-/nship supervisors) of finpjices, 1914-15, shov/ing
noiics of tovmship ond su-onrvisor, date of report, itemized
statement of receipts and disbursements, tct?l receipts rjid dio-
bui'seuents, brlonce avail?.ble, 'md date of filing,
xxxiii. Sheriff's recognizance bonds, 1889-192G, showing date aid cinount
of bond, n?mcs of defendant, sheriff, and sureties, date set for
Kr.poaraiice, nature of crime, and do,to of filing.
:c:c:iv. State-aid road v/arrt>n.ts, list of crncclled, 1915—, shov/ing date,
nu;-.ber, purpose, and amount of claim, nr^nc of claimrJit, date rnd
nu::.ber of wcxront, and dates of filing ond c^n-cellation.
x:c::v. Tazcation papers, including lists of delinquent property and ta::
objections, 1847-53; listsof redenotiois and forfeitures, 1041,
1358; road tr:: lists, 1905-11; railroad schedules, 1863-97,
193;^—; lists of special levies for road, bridge, school, and
ii.Torovemcnt tax, 1357—; and collector's settlement record of
ta.-:os collected, 1869-1917.
- 119 -
County Clerk - Fees, (83,84)
Receipts and Expendi-
tures
Also contains (Files of Claims), 1853--, entry 6; (Fothers' Pension Claims),
1913 — , entry 19; (insanity Papers), 1878—, sntry 122; (Dependent and
Delinquent Case Papers), 1909 — , entry l^'rO; (}.'oth'3rs • Pension Applications),
1913—, entry 143; Liheritanco Tax, 1014-19, entry 145; and Road Tax and
Railroad Tax List, 1868-97, 1933—, entry 263, Ai'r. by date of filing.
For index, see entry 1. Hd\7,, typed and hdw,, and typed on pr. fm,
10 X 5 X 14, Co. cll:.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Fees, Eeceipts and Expenditures
85. REGISTER OF FEE, 1872—. 5 v. (1-5).
Record of fees charged for affidavits, marriage licenses and certificates,
filing fees-, and drainage district costs and fees, shovdng name of payee,
type of service rendered, name of drainage district, and date and amount
of receipts, Arr^ by date of receipt, IIo index. Hdw. on pr, fm, 275 p,
15 X 12 X 1^, V, 1-4, 1872-1922, co. clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl,; v. 5, 1923—,
00, clk,»s off., 2nd fl. ^
84, COUIJTY CLERK'S ACCOUNT Y/ITH REGISTRARS, 1917 — . 1 v, (l).
Register of pajinents made to registrars for reporting births and deaths,
shovjlng name and address of registrar, rogisi;ration and primary district
numbers, date of filing certificate, nujuber of births, stillbirths and
deaths reported, date of certification by state board of health, amount
of fee, and date and number of v.-arrantj Also contains Record of Board of
Health Certificates of Death Warrant (Register), entry 11, Arr, by date of
warrant. Indexed alph, by luime of registrr>r, Hdw, under pr. hdgs, 296 p,
16 X 12 XT l-g-. Co. clko's off,, 2nd fl.
For prior record of orders paid for birth reports, see entry 8.
(Next entry 85, p, 122)
III. RECORDER
In 1841, the year in v/hich Piatt County vreis organized, the recorder
was elected for a four-year torn.-'- A tv;o-yoar tein liecane effoctivo in
1847,2 The ajnoimt of his bond was sot at $500,3 Vfith the adoption of
the second consitution the office of recorder vrc.s abolished, the duties
of that office being delegated to the circuit coiort clerk in an ex-officio
capacity,^ The present constitution reestablished the office of recorder
in counties having a population of sixty thousand or nore but continued the
provision of the prior constitution for ether counties,^ As the population
of Piatt has not reached the mininxan fixed bj"- the constitution, 6 the circuit
court clerk in this county has retained his ex-officio duties as recorder.
The amount of recorder's bond v/as sot at $5,000 in 1872, and v/as to be
approved by the county judge, "^ This amount was raised in 1874 to $10,000
for counties having the population of Piatt, A copy of the bond is entered
upon the records of the county court, ^
Assistants and deputies are appointed by the recorder in a number as
determined by rule of the circuit co\irt and as entered upon the court
record,^ The compensation of the assistants and deputies is set by the
county board, •'■^ TfTritten oaths of deputies are filed viith the Secretary
of State, 11
In accordance vri.th the duty of the recorder to record at length all
written instr\ments, the following records are required to be kept:
1, An entry book in v/h.ich data relating to date and
order of receipt of instruments to be recorded or
filed, and the names of parties and location of
1, L.1835 , p, 166, Bot'.veen 1819 and 1835 the recorder was appointed by
the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate ( L,1S19 , p, 19;
R.L.1829 , p, 117),
2, L,1845 , n, 28,
3, ?.,L.1829 , p. 117.
4, Constitution of 1846, Art, V, sec. 19; L,1849 , p, 64,
5, Constitution of 1870, Art, X, sec. 8; R.S.1674 , p, 833,
6, Census shows population of Piatt County 15,714 in 1920 and 15,588 in
1030, Population Bulletin , p. 9,
7, L.1871-.72 , p, 645,
8, R.S.1874 , p. 835.
9, Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 9; R. 5.1874 , p, 833,
10, Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 9,
11, R.S.1874, p, 833,
- 120 -
- 121 -
S-ecorder
property, vdth a trief description of the premises,
are entered. Each of such instru::'ents is nu-Vihered
"by the recorder rrith the corresponding niom'ber of
the entry. The entry ocok serves as a taole of
contents, vith descriptive merioranda, for all
instr-'jirients recorded at length or filed in the
recorder's office.
2. Well-hound hooks for recorcling at length ejiy instru-
iiient in wr:.ting entitled to he recorded, in the order
cf ti;ao of its reception. Separate hooks arc allowed
to hs kept for t/ie recording of different classes of
instruiaentr. and tT"o distinct series of document num-
hers may he u^^ed in recording docum-mts received for
recordation. One series preceded hy the letter "B"
is for the recordation of hills of sales of personal
property, chattel movt^a.g3?., releases, extensions, and
assigtuaents thereof. 'The other series of document
nuinhers is for all other instruments received for
recordation.
3. Grantor and grantee indexes. In the grantor index
are listed the names of the grantors in alphahetical
order and the names of the grontees. The grantee
index shov.'s the names of the graitees in alphahetical
order and the names of the grantors. Each index also
shows the date of the instrument, time of receipt,
kind cf instnunent, consideration, oook and page of
recordation, or the nujnher U'-tder v;hich it is filed,
and a hrisf di^scription of the premises.
4. Indexes to each hook of record in ivhich are entered in
alphahetical order, the names of each grantor and grantee
and page on 'vhicli the instrument is recorded. This series
indexes insti'uiuents such as -oowers of attorney, cl^ttel
mortgages, and those recorded hy corr:orations.
5. An index to recorded raj,ps and plats, hased on location
cf property, sonieti^nes arr:mged hy section, tov.uishiT),
and range.
5. An ahstract hook, in effect indexing records hy show-
ing for each tract ever:' conveyance or incuiTihrance re-
corded, its er-tecution and filing date, and the hook and
page of its recordation. Series optional with county
hoard.
7. A separate hock to record certificates cf honorahle
discharge from military, aviation, and naval service.^
I.1&19 . p. 18,20,31; H.L.1&29 , p. 116,117; L.1847 , p. 69; L.1S"3 ,
p. 254; L„1367 . p. 148; 1.1859 . p. 2; 1.1871-72 , p. 645,646; 1.1873 .
p. 144; 5.S.lB7i . p. 834-46; L.1917 , p. 652; L.1925 . p. 521; L. 1955-54 ,
Third Sp. Sess., p. 214.
- 122 -
Recorder - Entry Books; (85-87)
Instruments Recorded
The recorder, in recording* at length any instrument in writing, is
permitted to make a handtrritten or typewritten transcription, a photo-
graphic or photostatic reproduction, or use a combination of these
methods,! In addition to the instruiaonts received for recordation, the
recorder is required, upon receipt, to file any nortgage, trust deed,
or conveyance of personal property having tho offset of a mortgage or
lien upon such property v;hich is endorsed v.-ith the ■"/.'crds, "This instrument
to bo filed, but not recorded," The recorder marks cuch instrumonty "filed"
and enters the time of their receipt and files thor. in his office,^
Entry Books
(Sco also entry 57)
85, E:TTEY book (Recorder), 1852—, 12 v. (l not lettered, A-K),
Missing; 1860-66,
Enxry book of deeds and nortgnges, shovdng names of grantor and grantee,
number and date of instrriment, date of filin,", consideration, description
of property, amount of recorder's fee, and book and page of entry. Also
contains Receipts for Recordings, 1923—, entry 114, Arr, by date of filing.
No index, Hdw. under pr. hdgs, 300 p. 18 x 12 x 3, Cir, elk, 's vlt,,
2nd fl,
86. EJJTRY BOOK, 1835-54. 1 v.
Land entry book shelving description, location, and classification of land,
number of acres, by whom entered, and date of entry, Arr, by date of en-
try. Indexed alph, by name of person entering land, Hdw, 300 p,
19 X 12 X 2, Cir, elk, 's vlt,, 2nd fl.
For Federal land patents, 1830-39, see entry 82[x:<],
Instruments Recorded
General
87, GEIIERAL INDEX GR.\?ITOF - GPJUITEE, 1840—, 42 v, (1-13, 8 not
nxsnbered, grantor; 1-13, 8 not numbered, granteo).
Index to Deed Record, entry 89; Miscellaneous Record, entry 90; Quitclaim
Record, entry 91; Trust Deed Record, entry 92; Warranty Deed, entry 94;
Sheriff's Deed, entry 95; Mortgage liccord, entry 96; Mortgage and Assign-
ment Record, entry 97; Release Record, entry 96; Sheriff 'c (blaster 's)
Certificates of Sale and Redemption, entry 103; and Sheriff's Certificate
Sale Record, entry 104, showing names of grantor and grantee, type and
date of instnanont, ajr.ount of consideration, roforonco book and page of
entry, description of property', and date of filing, Arr, alph, by names
of grantor and granteo, Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 600 p, 18 x 11 x 3, Cir,
clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
1, L, 1933-34 , Third Sp. Soss., p. 214,
2, L,1927, p. 521; L,1929 . p, 592-94.
- 123 -
Recorder - Instruments (88*»9l)
Recorded
88. OLD DEED CASS, 1837-1905. 85 f.b.
PGrsons,l records left vdth the recorder for safe keeping rvnd not called
for, including real estate deeds, quitclaim deeds, warranty deeds, abstracts
of titles, chattel nortga.:;es and relea.ses, trust deeds, land office patents,
sheriff's honds, fjid certificates of sale of real estate to satisfy judg-
ments, Arr. by date of filing. No index. Nature of recording varies.
4g X 6| X 10. Cir. elk. » s off., 2nd fl.
89. DEED RECORD, 1840—. 72 v. (A-R, T-V, 2-161 not consecutive).
Recordation of all tj-pes of deeds, showing names of gr?Jitor pjid grantee,
legal description of property, consideration, date and number of instru-
ment, sjid date of recording. Also contains Miscellaneous Record, 1840-03,
entry 90; Quitclaim Record, 1840-65, entry 91; Trust Deed Record, 1840-69,
entry 92; Record of Deeds sjid Certificates, 1840-69, entry 93; Warranty
Deed, 1840-1900, entry 94; Sheriff's Deed, 1840-56, 1875-88, entry 95;
Mortgage Record, 1840-68, entry 95; Release Record, 1840-68, entry 98;
ajid Chattel Mortgage Record, 1840-50, entry 99. Arr. by date of record-
ing. For index, see entry 87. 1840-85, hdw. ; 1886-1908, hdw. on pr. f ra. ;
1909—, typed. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.
90. MISCELLAIffiOUS RECORD, 1889—. 14 v. (46. 59, 72, 83, 99, 108,
119, 131, 139, 149, 152, 157, 163, 17l). 1840-88 in Deed Record,
entry 89.
Record of miscellaneous instruments not conform.ing to printed forms or
otherwise provided for including transcripts of estates, masters' cer-
tificate of purchase, treasurer's and administrators' bonds, certifi-
cates of redemption, bonds for deeds, real estate transfers, leases, agree-
ments, power of attorney, transfer of bank stock, assignment of mortgage,
affidavits for extension of mortgage, right-of-way permits, marriage
contracts, and certified copies of land grants. Also contains Sheriff's
Deed, 1889 — , entry 95; Oil and Gas Leases, 1889-1937, entry 101; Sher-
iff's Certificate Sale Record, 1932 — , entry 104; (Township Treasurers')
Bond Record, 1926-!—, entry 106; and Trustees' ezid Masters' Report, 1889-
1927, entry 238. Arr. by date of recordation. Indexed alph. by nrjnes
of grantee and grpjitor; for sep. index, see entry 87. 1889-1908, hdw.;
1909--, t;/ped. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.
Deeds (See also
entry 32£:rriii])
91. QUITCLAIM RECORD, 1866—. 12 v. (5, 8, 30, 45, 64, 77, 94, 107,
121, 140, 159, 170). 1840-65 in Deed Record, entry 89.
Recordation of quitclaim deeds, showing names of grantor and grantee,
consideration, legal description and location of property, and dates of
instrument, acknowledgment, recording, and filing. Arr. by da.te of re-
cording. For index, see entry 87. Hdw. on pr. fm. 600 p. 13 x 12 x 3.
Cir. elk. 's vlt., 2nd fl.
-124 -
Recorder - Instruments (92-96)
Recorded
92. TRU6T D-^£.D Rl.C0rJ3, 1370— . ■' v. (t;, 1, 10, 20, 3G ) . 1840-69 .
in Deed Record, entry CJ.
RecorivAtion of trust -Jeads, shov/irif; date, nancs of grantor, grantee,
trustees, ar.«J v;itnesscE, aniount of note, interest, date and place pay-
able, description of property, date of J^iaturity, and ackuovvlodrTient,
Arr. by date of rooordatioi;. For indax, see entiry 67. Hdv;. on pr. fm.
600 p. 12 X 18 X o. Cir. olk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
93. ESCCRD Oi' D£i,DS aI^D CiitT I^ IC^TiS , 1C70— . 1 v. (l). 1840-69
in Deed Rooord, entry 89.
Copies of patents iro:.i General Land Office, Department of Interior,
Washington, D.C., shov'in^ date and number of certificate, name of pat-
er.teo, description of land, and date of recording. Arr. by date of
recording. Indexed alph. by nr.r.e of patentee. Hdw. on pr. fm. 600 p.
20 X 15 X 3{V. Cir. die's vlt., 2n(; "fl.
94. y.'ARr'AI3TY DL^i), WOl— . 20 v. (78, .'32, 83, 92, 97, 38, 102, 105,
109, 113, lie, 118, l?i, 129, 132, 13/, 142, 151, 158, 165).
1840-1900 in D(jed Record, entry 89.
Recordation of v/arranty deeds, shcv/in,; instrument number, nancs of
grantor, grantee, and recorder, dates nf filing and recording, legal
dtjscription of property, consideration, and acknowlcdj-ncnt. Arr. by
date of recording. For index, soe entry S7. ildw. on pr. fm. 500 p.
12 X IB X 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
95. SriiRIFF'S DL£.D, 1867-74. 1 v. 1340-66, 1875-68 in Deed
Record, entry 83; 1889 — in Miscellaneous Record, entry 90,
Recordation of :iheriff's tax deeds, shv-;v;ir.g date of sale, descrip-
tion of property, amount of delinquent taxes, names of purchaser,
owner, and slieriff, and dates of instnment and recording. Arr. by
date of recording. For index, see entry 87, Kdw. on pr. fm. 600 p.
1^ X 12 X 3, Cir. dV.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
r.'crtr'ires - Heal Estate
96. LCRTGAGE Rt-CCRD, 1869--. 41 v. (X, 1-172 not consecutive).
1840-68 in Deed Record, entry 89.
Recorded copies of real estate mortgages, showing names of mort-
gager, mortgagee, and witnesses, legal description of property,
amount of consideration, terms of mortgage, rates of interest,
and dates cf mortgage, recording, and acloiov/ledgnent. Also con-
tains i ortgage and Assignment Record, 1869-1902, entry 97, Arr.
by date cf recording. For index, see entry 87. Kdv/. on pr. fm.
600 D. 18 X 12 X 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
- 125 -
Recorder - Instruments (97~101)
Recorded
97. MORTGAGE AlID aSSIGMIENT RECORD, 1903—. 4 v. (35, 110, 122,
154). 1869-1902 in I^ortcage Record, entry 96.
Recordation of real cstutc mort£;ages, showing nancs of mortf^agor, mortgagee,
and witnesses, legal description of property, amount of consideration,
terms of mortgage, rate of interest, and dut'.s of mortgage, acknowledgment,
and filing; also contains copies of ussignncnts of mortgages, shov/ing names
of assignor and assignee, funount of consideration, date and amount of mort-
gage, name of mortgagee, book and page of recordation of mortgage, and ac-
knowledgment. Arr. by date of filing. For index, see entry 87. Kdw, on
pr. fm. GOO p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
98. RELEASE RECORD, 1869—. 28 v. (1 not num-bered; 2? v.; ;3-17:i, not
consecutive). 1840-68 in Deed Record, entry 89.
Recordation of mortgage, releases, and of master's deeds subsequent to 1925,
showing instrument number, naiacs and addresses of grantor and grantee, con-
sideration, legal description of property, date of recording, and acknov;lcdg-
ment before notary. Also contciins Record of Bonds (Tovmship Collectors),
1869-72, entry 105, Arr, by date of recording. For index, sec entry 87.
Kdw. on pr. fm. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
Mortgages - Chattel
99. CHATTEL MORTGAGE RECORD, 1861—. 46 v. (a-Z, 1-20). 1840-60
in Deed Record, entry 89.
Recordation of chattel mortgages, slovfing names of mortgagor and mortgagee,
dates of instrument and recording, description of property, consideration,
terms of mortgage and acknowledgment. Arr. by date of recording. For in-
dex, sec entry 100. 1861-1£31, hdw. on pr. fm. j 1932 — , tj^oed on pr. fm,
400 p. 18 X 12 X 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
100. CHATTEL KORTGaGE INDEX, 1861—. 2 v. (1, 2).
Index to Chattel Mortgage Record, entry 99, showing names of mortgagor and
mortgagee, date and amount of consideration, tmd date of filing, Arr.
alph. by names of mortgagor and mortgagee. llduK. under pr. lidgs. 4C0 p,
18 X 12 X 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
101. OIL Al^ID GaS leases, 1938—. 1 v. (187). 1389-1927 in Kisc; 1-
laneous Record, entry 90.
Copies of gas and oil leases, showing date and terms of lease, considera-
tion, names of lessee and lessor, location and description of land, dura-
tion of lease, location of v^ell, and date of filing. Arr. by date of
filing. Indexed alph. by name of lessor. Typed on pr. fm. 600 p,
18 X 12 X 3. Cir, clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
- 126 -
Recorder - Instruments (102-1C6)
He corded
Certificates of Levy
102. SHERIFF'S CERTIFICATES OF LEVI3S AIH) REDEMPTIONS. 1871—.
1 V. (Y).
Record of sheriff's certificates of levies r.nd redemptions, showing
names of p?.rtics, date pjid pjnovmt of levj^, p.nd legpl description of
real estate. Arr. by dp,te cf levy. Indexed ?.lph. hy np.rr.es of plain-
tiff and defendant. Hdw. on pr. fn. 600 v. 13 x 12 x 3. Cir. elk. 's
vlt., 2nd fl.
103. SHERIFF'S (Master's) CERTIFICATES OF SALE AM) REDEMPTION, 1871-
1929. 1 v.
Copies of master's certificates of sale, 1873-1903, and redemption,
1071-1929, showing nrmes of plf;dntiff , defendejit, master, pjid pur-
chaser, date and amount of sale, legal description of property, date
and by whom redeemed, and date of recording. Arr. by date of re-
cording, Indijxcd alph. by npjnes of plaintiff and defcndpjit; for sep.
index, see entry 87. Hdw. on pr. fm, 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3, Cir. elk. ' s
vlt., 2nd fl.
104. SKSRIFF'S CERTIFICATE SALE RECORD, 1859-1931. 1 v. 1932—
in Miscellaneoufs Record, entry 90.
Copies of sheriff's certificates of sale, showing names of plain-
tiff, defendant, purchaser, and sheriff, writ authorizing sheriff
to hold sale, legal description of property, amount of bid, and
dates of sale and filing. Arr. by date of filing. Indexed alph.
by name of plaintiff; for sep. index, see entry 87, Hdw. on pr. fm.
396 p. 18 X 12 X 3. Cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.
Bonds of Officers
105. RECORD OF BONDS (Township Collectors), 1860-68, 1873-96.
1 V, 1869-72 in Release Record, entry 98; 1897-1918 in (Town-
ship Treasurers') Bond Record, entry 106.
Record of to\vnship collectorr' >onds, showing npjnes of collector,
township, and sureties, amount and terms of bond, pjid date of fil-
ing. Arr. by date of filing. Ho index. Hdw. 375 p. 14 x 9 x 1.
Cir. elk. 's vlt., 2nd fl,
106. (Township Treasurers') BOND RECORD, 1897-1925. 1 v.
1926 — in Miscellaneous Record, entry 90,
Township treasurers' bond record shovdng names of principal, town-
ship, and sureties, amount ?,nd conditions of bond, before whom
subscribed, pjid date of filing. Also contains Record of Bonds
(Tcvmship Colloctors), 1897-1918, entry lC5t Arr. by date of filing.
Indexed alph. by name of principal. 1897-1908, hdw. on pr. f m. ;
1909-25, typed. 424 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.
- 127 -
Recorder - Laps and Plats (107-112)
Other Instrum ents
107. SCLDi:D'::ii' ;U;D SAIj^CRS' DIoCI'Juu:-J, 1865—. 2 v. (A, 2).
Soldiers' service record showing name of soldier, number, ran];,
reason for ternination of service, aj^e, address, physical descrip-
tion, place and date of dischar^^e, and signature of officer in com-
mand. Arr. by date of discharge. Indexed alph. hy name of soldier
or sailor, fidv;. on pr. fn. 600 p. 13 x 12 3. S. Cir. clk.'s vlt.,
2nd fl,
103. SGLDI-.Pj':ji:LISTi:£iT, 1361. 1 v.
Record of soldiers' enlistr.ents, shov/inj; nane, rank, and a^je of
soldier, date and place of enlistment, by whom enrolled, period
of enrollment, and remarks. Arr. alph. by name of soldier. No
index. Hdv/. under pr. hd^s. 100 p. 12 :: 3 x "'.. Cir. die's vlt.,
2nd fl.
109. Rr.'GISTi3l OF FARI-.. KA-'-iiS, 191b—. 1 v. (l). Last entry 1925.
Farm name register showing name and address of ov^ier, name, legal
description, and location of farm, and date of registration. Arr.
by date of recording. Indexed alph. bj;- name of ov-iier. Ildv;. ixnder
pr. hdgs. 300 p. 18 x 12 :c 2. Cir. clh. 's vlt., 2nd fl.
110. ST.a.Lic:i cj^n'ia-j:^ h^zcrd, isio-ia. i v.
Record of stallion certif jcates, shov/in[^ registration and certifi-
cate numbers, by whom bred, stallion's color and breed, date of
foaling, names of stallion and ovnier, e^camining veterinarian,
secretaries of Illinois state board of agriculture and stallion
registration board, and recorder, and date of filing. Arr. by date
of filing. Indexed alph. by name of owner. Hdv;. on pr, fm. 500 p.
13 :■: 12 x l\. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
111. R^CCRiJ or RlJiCiAilLiLG CP ST^lLLICi; CiuTL" ICATi^S, 1911-17. 1 v.
Register of stallion certificate renev;alc, :^hcv;ing date and Jiumber
of license, names of horse, and original and present ovmers , date
of filing, and type of breeding, Arr. by date of filing. Indexed
alph. hy name of owner, Hdv. on pr. fm. 300 p. 13 x 12 x l]y.
Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
Laps and Plats
112. PL.i.T Ri,CCRjD, 1901—. 2 v. (1, 2).
Political plats of surveys made in Piatt County, sho-.ving sections,
tov.'nshiri s , ranges, locations of cornerstones, i./itness trees, links
distant, statements of surveyor, and date of survey. Autl^ors: 7.'. J.
Day, engineer and J. R. Dower, county surveyor. Arr. by sec, twp.,
and range nos. Indexed alph. by nam.0 of plat. I..and-ura\ai. 1 in.
to 200 ft.; 1 ill. to 600 ft. 300 p. 19 x 18 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt.,
2nd, fl.
- 128 -
Recorder— Fees (113, 114)
113. GOVSRIIIZNT SURV2YS, 1875. 1 v.
Pljxts of original g;ovemraent surveys, showing number of tovmship,
range, principal meridian, section, ancl acres, locations of corner£
and corners of section, witness trees, inches dianicter, courses
they bear, and links distant. Author, Government Surveyor Genera.1.
Arr. by sec, tv;p., and range. No index. Printed. 1 in. to 40
chains. 50 p. 21 x 16 x 2>-. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
Fees
114. R2CEIFTS FOR RLiCCRDIlGS, 1873-1922. 6 v. (l not numbered,
2,3, 6-8). Hissing: 1897-190-i. 1923— in iiitry Rook
(Recorder), entry 35.
Register of fees received by circuit clerk for r.iaking recordations,
showing date, number, and t^-pe of instrument, and amount of foe.
Arr. by date of receipt. Ko index. Kdw. under pr. hdgs. 300 p.
14 X 10 X 2. 1 V. not numbered, v. 2,3,6,7, 1873-191^, cir. clk.'s
vlt., 2nd fl.; v. 8, 1S17-22, cir. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
(Next entry II5, p. I37)
IV. COUNTY C0U3T
The county court ser-"es ar, the judici?.! "branch of county frovernment.
This court is administered "by the county judge "-ho is elected for a four-
year term by the county electorate. Before entering upon the duties of
his office, the county judge is required to take and su'bscribe to an oath
which he files with the Secretary of State. The compensation of the Piatt
county judge was originally set at $?5^0 per diem for holding court, which
was paic' quarterly out of the county treasury. 1 Today, the judge in this
countv receives $2,500 per annum. 2 The court bears and determines matters
in i,Aich it has original or concurrent jurisdiction, including appeals
from the justices of the peace and police ma.',■i^'trates.3
At the time of the organization of Piatt County, the powers of the
judiciary in all counties r-'ere administered only "by the justices of the
peace, 4 the probate justice, 5 and the circuit court. & Later, a civil and
criminal court with jurisdiction coextensive with the county lines was
established under thn provisions jf the Con;;.ti tutit.n of 1SU8 and legisla-
tion of I8U9.7 The court created v?as the county court. This unit of
county government was established with a pa,rtial reversion to the dual
function, administrative and j\idicial, of the local judiciary in Illinois
under the Territorial Laws prior to 1818* The court "'as different from
the territorial courts in that its composition varied for each of the two
functions. The judicial court was administered by the county judge, who
was elected by the county"- electorate and commissioned by the Governor,
His original four-year tenure of office has remained effective to the
present. 2 As the administrative body, the court v/as made up of the
county judge and tv^o justicr^s of the peace. 9
"Under the second constitution complete separation of county business
powers from the judicial could be had v/ith the acceptaJice by the coi.inty
electorate of an independent administrative body, the board of supervis-
1. L.lgUq . p. 62.63.
2. L.1933 . P. 6l5; L.19^8 . First Sp. Sess., v, 30.
3. L.18S1 . p. 70.
U. Constitution of 1818, Art. IV, sec. 8} LJJIO, p. 19^.
5. L. 1836-37 . p. 175.
6. L.1819 . p. 380.
7. Constitution of ISUS, Art. V, sec. I,l6; L.l '''-9 . p. 52.
8. Constitution of 18^8, Art. V, sec. 17; L . 1 ■ UQ , p. 62,66; H.S.187U .
p. 339; Ljaii. p. ^51.
9. L.I8U9 . p. 65.
- 129 -
- 130 -
Coiinty Cotirt
ors, established ■under tovmsliip organization.! Tliia plan of government
v'as not selected inmediately, and Piatt was governed by the dual county
court uiitil 1850 when the board of supervisors became successor to the
county coui^t in its jurisdiction over county affairs and business. From
that date on, tl^e county court has served only as a judicial court in
Piatt Couiity.
Ti-.e cotuity court as established in 1349 was vested with the spjne
civil and crirdnrl jurisdiction as 'the justices of the peace. The county
judge vros made a conservator of the per.cc. He was given the stanc power
and authority as the circuit judge in preserving order in the court end.
punishing contempts offered the co'oi't while in session. 2 Suits for the
sale of delinquent Irnds for taxes of 1848, .^id prior years, could be
brouglit end presented in cither the circuit or county court, but for
taxes of subsequent yopxs, the ccjinty court was given exclusive original
jurisdiction, 2 ThQ co-jxt also exercised jurisdiction equcJL with that of
the circuit court over naturali2a.tion.4
In addition to its civil Kid crixinal jurisdiction, the court was
vested with aJLl the pov/ors and jurisdiction in probate matters vfhich wore
vested prior to this dr..tc in the court of the probp.te justice. Tlie court
was given concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court in hearing rnd
determining riopli cations for the spIo of real esta.tc of decca,sed persons
and for the payment of debts of the estate. 5 In Piatt County the county
judge has served to the present da;/ in his ex-officio capacity as judge
of the probate court. S
The lav; jurisdiction of the county court in Piatt County is concur-
rent m.th that of the circuit court in that class of cases wherein the
justices of the peace have jurisdiction v/here the value of the amount in
controversy does not exceed $2,000,7 in all cases of rppeals from jus-
tices of the peace and police magistrates, and in all criminal offenses
and misdemoaJiors v;here the punishment is not imprisonment in the penitea-
1. Constitv-tion of 1848, Art. VII, sec. 5; L.19^ , p. 192,203-04; L.1351 ,
p. 33,50-52.
2. L .1849 , p. 55.
3. Ibid., p. 125.
4. 2 U.S.S.L. 155.
5. L.1349 , p. 65.
5. Constitution of 1S43, Art. V, sec. 15,18; L.1849 , p. 65; Constitution
of 1370, Art. VI, sec. 18; H.S.1374 , p. 339,340; l1i933 , p. 449,458.
7. Under the la,ws of 1872 and the revised statutes of 1874, the j\xrisdic-
tion was in cases v/hcrein the axaouiit involved did not exceed $500
( La371-72 , p. 325; R.S.1874 , p. 339,340). Legislation enacted in
1933 extended the jurisdiction to $2,000 ( L.1933 , p. 452), but a
later amendr-ient of the same session, passed June 21, 1933, placed the
jurisdiction in cases where the amount involved is not over $1,000
(ibid,, p. 449). In 1939 jurisdiction was again extended to $2,000
( L.1939 , p. 492).
- 131 -
County Court
tiary or death. 1 The co-mty court also has original jurisdiction in mat-
ters relating to indii;;ent mothersS and jurisdiction over insane persons
not charf^ed with crime. 3
The county and circuit courts have original jurisdiction in cases
of juvenile offenders. This jurisdiction is over matters dealing with
dev'endent , neglected, and delinquent children. The authoritjr includes
j->rovision for the treatment, control, maintenance, adoption, and guard-
ianship of such children. ^■■
In 1859, provision was made for the apriointment hy the court of a
juvenile proliation officer to serve without compensation from the pub-
lic treasury and at the pleasure of the co\irt.5 In 190? an amenc^ment
to this act authorized the court to allow compensation to such officers
in a sri^n to te set by the county hoard, hut the power of the court to
appoint probation officers to serve without pay was in no way abridged
by this legislation. D An amendment of 1925 provided that if more than
one probation officer were appointed, one was to be designated as chief
probation officer. To be eligible for the position of chief probation
officer, the candidate was required to have had exuerience in social
welfare work equivalent to one year spent in active practical welfare
work. Minimum rates, based upon population, were established for the
compensation of these officers, the count;,' boa,rd to fix the amount.
Wliere a county had only one probation officer, the salary rates were
made to apply to that individual. The court, however, retains the
power to appoint probation officers to serve vithout pay. 7 ?or Piatt
County, and others with a population not exceeding twenty-five thou-
sandS the rate is set at a sum of $50 a year for each thousanc" inhab-
itants, but not to exceed $900 annually.
The officer under consideration makes investigation on order of
the court and takes charge of the child before and after trial. He
is reqiiired to bo present a.t the court hearings in order that he may
represent the interest of the child. This officer also fiornishes in-
formation and assistance as required by the court. 9
1. R. 3.187^ , p. 3''-'^; L.lg77 . p. 77; L.1895 . p, 212,223; 1.1933 . p. UIi9-51,
2. L.1913 . p. 127; L.1^15 . p. 2^1; 1.1921 . r.. 162-jU; L.19^5 . p. 256-59.
3. L.lg69 . p. 3^0; F..S.167U . v. b85.
^. L.lSnq . p. 131-37; L.1901, p. l'41-UU; L.1905 . p. 152-56; L. 1907 .
p. 70-78.
5. L.1899 . p. 133.
6. L.19Q7 . p. 69,70.
7. 1.1925, p. 187,188.
8. In 1930 the population of Piatt Co'onty was listeri as 15,588.
Population Bulletin , p. 9.
9. L.1899 . p. 133; L.1925 . p. 187,188
- 132 -
Co-Jinty CoTirt
Upon petition filed with the clerk of the court for the removal of
a noglocted or dependent child from the custody of its parents or gu£ird-
ian, process is issued for appearance. Th>3 svjmons cay be served by the
sheriff or the duly appointed probation officer, 1
At any time after the filing of the petition and pending the final
disposition, the court r.ay ellow the child to rcnain in the possession
of its custodian, or in its homo subject to the visitation of the proba-
tion officer; or the child may bo ordered into the custody of the proba-
tion officer. 2 if -upon hearing the case the court finds the child to bo
dependent or nejilected, the court may commit the child to sji association
or institution, or nllovr the child to rcmr.in in his home subject to the
visitation of the probation officer. '^ In a, similar fashion the probation
officer for adults, en rppointeo of the circuit court, assists the county
coui-t in the rininistrr.tion of justice among adult violators. 4
In cases of delinquency, if the court finds any child to be delin-
quent, the court may convtnit the child to nn institution or to the cus-
tody of the probation officer. The court m.?y, ■upon its discretion send
juvenile offenders nnd vc^rrjits to the state reform school rather than
to the coimty jail. 5
Another probation officer, an appointee of the county court, assists
the court in mothers' pension cases. The state rnd county funds for ii>-
digcnt nothcrs and their children are administered by the county court,
its rppointed probation officers, the county borxd with the assistance
of the ccvjity clerk, the county treasviror, nnd the State Department of
Public Ifnlfarc. Tlio county court, however, is given original jurisdic-
tion in these natters. o
A mother whose husbnnd is derd or incapacitated, or w]ac is abrndoncd
by her husbrnd, is entitled to the benefits of the mothers' pension fund
when shj is in need. Such mother nay file nn replication with the county
court for relief. The case of the aoplic^nt is then invest ig-^-tod by the
probation officer under the direction of the court.''' A report and rec-
ommendation of the approval or d^ sapproval of such j^plication is then
made by this officer of the court. If the application is approved, the
probation officer or other person may file with the clerk of tho court
1. L.1399 , p. 133,133; L.1905, p. 153,154; L.1907 . p. 72,73.
2. 1.1907, p. 74.
3. L.1935 . p. 180,181.
4. L, 1911 , p. 280-82.
5. l7i907 , p. 75.
6. L„191o, ri. 127-30; L,1915 , d, 24^45; L.1921 , p. 15^-64; L.1935 , p.
255-59 .
7. L.1915 , p. 127-30; L.1915 , p. 244; L.1935 , p. 256-59.
- 133 -
County Court
a written petition verified by affidavit setting forth the facts giving
the court jurisdiction and other facts upon which an order for relief is
entered. Upon receipt of the petition, a siunnons is issued to the mother
and the county hoard for appeai'ance. The ucual procedure is for the hoard
to make a written appearance. Upon the hearing in court, the court jnay
make an order upon the county hoard to pay monthly such money as may he
necessary for the care of the mother and her child or children in accorci-
ance with the provisions of law.l
To carry out this procedure, the countv court appoints the probation
officer who serves during'; the pleasure of the court and is compensated
for his services hy the county in such amount as determined hy the county
hoard. As noted above, this officer is required to investigate all ap-
plications for relief and make a written report to the court. In addi-
tion to this duty, the probation officer makes quarterly visits and sup-
ervises, under the direction of the court, the families to •-■'hich such
assistance has been granted. ^
The county boarrl annually levies a tax on all taxable property to
provide for the mothers' pension fund. The le""y is made Jiot in excess
of two-fifths of one mill on a dollar in Piatt County, 3 In addition the
General Assembly, from time to time, makes appropriation to the State
Department of Public Welfare, the funds, in turn, being distributed to
the several co-unties to supplement the pension fund. To become entitled
to the state appropriations, the county mwst meet the standfirds of admin-
istration set by the state agency. The co-onty treasurer certifies to the
state department an itemized statement, attested by the county clerk, of
the money paid out diu'ing each quarter in accordance -.vith the legislative
provisions for this pension and also certifies annually the total assessed
valuation and amount of raonoy raised bj' tax levj.' for the mothers' pension
f^ond.^
Jurisdiction in the election procedure is vested variously in the
county board, the county court, and the county clerk. In the event that
any city, village, or incorijorated toT7n adopts the City Election Act the
county judge appoints a board of three election commissioners to have
charge of elections in that political unit. Only one such board, however,
is appointed in each county. This board ha,s jurisdiction over elections
in all cities, villages, or incorporated towns which may adopt the act, 5
1. 10911, p, 127-30; LJdlS. P. 257-59.
2. L.1^13 . p. 129,130; L.19^5 . p. ?S^Z.
3. L.1919 . p. 7S0,7S1; 1.1927 . p, 196,197; L,1928 . First Sp. Sess.,
p. 3,U; LJL91i, p. 19U,195,
h. L, 19-^5 . p. 259.
5. L.lgr -5. p. lU7-a9; L,lg99 . p, 163-^5; L.1^17 . v. UU5,U1;6; L.1929 .
p. 399; kiiill. p. 53^; LOai^r^i. Fourth Sp. Sess,, p. 35.
County Co-jrt
Otherwise, jurisdiction is vested in the county 'board, coionty co^'ort, and
coiinty clerk. The county court has original jurisdiction in election
contests for certain county, district, and tovmship offices. 1
Aiding in the settlement of questions arising in the co-urse of the
election procedure is the county officers electoral board. This body
consists of the county judga as chairman, the co-jnty clerk, and the
state's attorney. 2
Hie several nonination papers for county offices arc filed with the
county clerk and are considered valid unless objections cxg made \irithin
five days after the last day for filing such prpcrs. Objections to nonw
inations oxq made to the couiity officers olcccoral board for any office
of the county, park district, or other division coterminous with or less
than the co-u:aty cJid other than a city, villr^c, incorporated town, or
tovmship. 3 [The objector's petition is filed v/ith the county clerk who
presents the s?jnc, together with the nomination papers or certificate,
before the electoral board, 4 The potiticn contains the objector's name
r-nd residence, the nature of the objection, the interest of the objector,
and the relief sought of the board. ^ A notice of the hcrjring is sent to
the crndidr.tc, Ifcon hoaxing the objections, the bo.-'xd renders a find
decision by majority vote. In the event the candidate v/hoso nomination
is protested is a member of the elector?! board, the circuit judge is
required to fill his place. ^
Jurisdiction is vested in the county court to hear nnd determine
all questions relative to taxes on gifts, legacies and ir.heritrncc.'''
The act grrnting this jurisdiction is genertdly knovm as the "Inheri-
tance Tr^c Lajif»" Originally, the state's attorney was charged with the
duty of enforcing the provisions of this lavr}^ however, since 1913 these
duties have been performed by the Attorney General.^ Under that la.w the
county judge and the coxmty clerk arc required every tlirce months to
make a statement in writing to the county treasurer of the property
from v;hich or the party from vjhom he ha,s rer.son to believe a tax under
this act is due and unpaid. ^^ rjp^-^Q county treasurer is required to collect
1. L. 1871^72 . p. 396.
2. L.1891 , p. ilC.lll* L.193Z , p. 552.
3. L.1891 . p. 110,111; L.1929 . p. 394.
4. L.1891 . p. Ill; L.1929. p. 394; L.1933 . p. 552.
5. L.1929 , p. 394,395.
5. L.1955 , p. 552.
7. L.1895 , p. 306; L.1909 . b. 318.
8. L.1895 , p. 306; L.1909 . p. 319.
9. L.1913 , p. 515,516; L.1935 . p. 1179,1180.
10. L.1895 , p. 306; L.1909 , p. 319; L.1913, p. 516.
- 135 -
County Court
and pay to the State Treasurer all taxes that may be due and payable under
it.^
Under an act of 1933, housing corporations may be organized in Illi-
nois for the express purpose of improving housing conditions. Such cor-
porations are subject to the supervision and control of the State Housing
Board, This state agency has authority, after investigations and public
hearings, to approve the acquisition of property and construction of
housing projects. If the State Housing Board approves a project over the
objections of ten percent of the property ovmers within a mile, but not
included in the project, it must then file an application with the clerk
of the county court to be submitted to the county judge for the confirma-
tion of its approval. Such application is to contain copies of the find-
ings and order of the board, transcript of testimony, description of the
project and public spaces, statement of location, and reasons for approval
by the board. The objectors to the project may file objections in the
county court to the confirmation of such a project. The county judge then
examines the application, objections, and any additional evidence before
rendering a decision of "approved" or "not approved" on the application,"^
Appeals from the judgments and decisions of the county court may be
taken to the circuit court. To the Appellate Court or Supreme Court may
be taken and prosecuted appeals and writs of error in proceedings for the
sale of lands for taxes ard special assessments, in all corrarion lav; and at-
tachment cases, and in cases of forcible detainer and forcible entry and
detainer. Such appeals and writs of error are, when not otherwise pro-
vided, taken and prosecuted in the same manner as appeals and writs of
error from the circuit court, ^'
The records of the county court are kept by its clerk. In Piatt
County the county clerk is ex-officio clerk of the county court. In ad-
dition to the statutory records described below the clerk necessarily
maintains others in effecting the court's orders.
For the court the clerk keeps ihe following records:
1, Books of record of the proceedings and judgments of the
court with alphabetical indexes by names of parties.
Proceedings are recorded at length only in cases desig-
1, L.1895, p, 307; L,1909 , p, 319j L,1913 , p, 516,
2, L,1935, p, 396-415; L, 1933-54 , Third S"p. Sess,, p. 167-74,
3, Ibid,
4. L,1933, p. 396,
5. R,S.18 "74, p. 339; L.1877, p. 77; L,1881 . p, 65,
6. The form which such records take is generally determined by court
order ( L,1849^ p, 66; R,S.1874, p, 262,263),
- 136 -
County Court
nated "by law or w'.ien the coui't, at the motion and as-
sumption of expenses by one of the parties, so orders.
In practice, the court record has been broken dovm from
an early date into segregated t^-pes of proceedings and
judgments .
2. "Plaintiff-Dofcndrjit Index to Cohort Sccords" j?nd "Defend-
ant-Plaintiff Index to Coiirt Records," intended to be
sepcrate records, but frequently cor.;bincd in a single
volu;no with the two indexes scgrr,gatod in each volume.
3. A general docket in which pli suits are entered in the
order they are comncnced.
4. A Judgment ^d execution dodcet containing a column for
the entry of satisf px;tion or other disposition. In
practice, an execution docket is frequently set up in-
dependently.
5. Additional dockets, desigj'^ated as the clerk's, judge's,
and bor docket. In practice, the ocx docket has tended
to drop out of use.l
6. A fee book in v/hich costs rnd foes -aro to be entered
under the proper title of the cav.so. In practice, sep-
arate scries of volumes are nalntained ur.der these titles
or causes.
7. Transcripts of proceedings in appeals fron justices'
courts, dockets thereof, and transcripts of judgment
for liens, etc., from justices' courts.
8. iTaturaliaation records including petitions, proceedings,
final certificates, etc. The county courts in Illinois
prior to 1905 met the requirerent of Federal statutes to
exercise naturalization jurisdiction.^
9. Original documents used in court hearings pnd determina-
tions; of particular importmce in the large number of
cases where complete proceedings rre not spread on court
record. 3
10. Konthly reports of the warden of the county jail, con-
taining a list of all prisoners in his custody and shew-
ing the cause of com-nitmont and npjiies of persons by w?iom
conmitted.'*
1. The Civil Practice Act of 1955 grants soithority to coTinty courts, sub-
ject to rules promulgated by the Supreme Covjrt and not inconsistent
vrith statutory requirements, to mnke such rules as they m^y deem ex-
pedient, reg'jJ.ating dockets and cnlendars of said coiirt ( L.1955 , p.
735).
2. 2 U.S.3.L. 155; U. S.R. 3.1759-1874 , p. 378.
o, R.S.ie45 , p. 323,324,414,418,419; l'.1855 , p. 79,80; L. 1871-72 . p. 325;
R. 5.1874 , p. 262,253; 2U.3.S.L. 153-55; U. S.R. S. 1789-1874 , p. 378-80;
34 U.S.S.L. 596-507; 44 U.S. 3. L. 709,710.
4. R. 3.1874 , p. 617; L.193?, p. 678.
- 137 -
Co-unty Court - Proceedings (115-120)
of Court
Proceedings of Court
(See also entries 82Cii, vi, ix], 156)
115. I1\TDEX TO CASES, 1872—. 1 v. (l).
Index to Common Law, entry 117, ojid Criminal Cases, entry 119, showing
names of defendant and plaintiff, case number, kind of action, and file
box number. Arr. alph. by names of plaintiff and defendant. Hdw. mider
pr. hdgs. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. elk. ' s vlt., 1st fl.
115. PLAINTIFF-DEPEira.M^T I1.IDEX TO COUIIT HECORDS, 1872—. 2 v. (1
plaintiff; 1 defendant).
Index to County Court Record (Law and Criminal), entry 118, and County
Court Record - Criminal, entry 120, showing case number, names of plain-
tiff and defendant, and book and page of entry. Arr. alph. by names of
plaintiff and defendant. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co.
clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
117. COmON LAW, 1872—. 33 f.b. (239~559 not consecutive).
Original documents of common law cases, including writs of executions,
subpoenas, pleas, petitions, appeal bonds, court orders, and writs and
transcript of evidence. Also contains (insanity Papers), 1872-77, entry
122, and (Dependent and Delinquent Case Papers), 1872-1908, entry 140.
Arr. by case no. For index, see entry 115. ITature of recording varies.
10 X 4t X 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
For other appeal bonds, see entry 82[iv].
118. COmiTY COTJRT RECORD (Law and Criminal), 1872—. 8 v. (1-8).
Record of county court cases, including records of judgments by default
and probation cases, showing names of parties and attorneys, date and
kind of action, disposition, and orders of the court. Also contains
County Court Record - Criminal, 1884—, entry 120, including Recogni-
zance in Open Court, 1384-1929, entry 139. Arr. by date of case. In-
dexed alph. by names of plaintiff and defendant; for sep. index, see
entry 116. 1872-1910, hdw.; 1911—, tyued on pr. fm. 300 p.
18 X 12 X 3. V. 1-6, 1872-1926, co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. 7,8,
1927--, CO. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
119. CRIMINAL CASES, 1872—. 34 f.b. (233-513 not consecutive).
Original documents in criminal cases, including s-'-immonses, subpoenas, ap-
peal bonds, writs of executions, indictments, instructions to Jury,
affidavits of witnesses, mittimus, and court orders; also contains pro-
bation case papers, 1926 — . Arr. by case no. For index, sec entry 115.
Hature of recording varies. 10 x 4^- x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
For other appeal bonds, see entry 85[iv].
120. COUNTY COURT RECORD - CRIMINAL, 1873-83. 1 v. 1334— in County
Court Record (Law end Criminal), entry 118.
Record of criminal cases in co\inty court, showing nanes of defendant,
plaintiff, and attorneys, date and kind of action, and disposition of
case. Also contains Recogniz.roice in Open Court, entrj' 139. Arr. by date
of case. Indexed alnh. by name of defendant; for sep. index, see entry 116.
Kdw. on pr. fm. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2^. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 138 -
County Court - Proceeding;s (121-126)
cf Court; Dockets
121. EXECUTIONS, 1873-1920. 1 f.b.
Executions on judgrients shovn-n^ date, name of person against whom judg-
ment is pending, damages, fees of sheriff and clerk, and sheriff's re-
turns on satisfaction. Arr. by date of oxecution. For index, see entry
1. Ildw. en pr. fm, 10 x 4-^ x 14. Cc. elk. 's vlt., 1st fl.
For subsequent executions, see entries 117, 119,
122. (EvSANITY FilPEP.S), 1872--. 1872-77 in Common Lavf, entry 117;
1878— in ( la seel lane ous Papers), entry 82,
Original documents filed in insanity cases, including petitions, reports
of commission and physician, appointment of conservator, orders of court,
and TNsrrant of commitment. Hd'.v. on pr. fm. and typed.
123. INSANITY RECORD, 1080—. 3 v, (A, 4, 5). 1872-79 in Insane and
Conservators' Record, entry 167.
Record of insanity and feeble-minded cases, shov/ing name of alleged in-
sane person, petitions for hearing, names of examiners, evidence present-
ed, date, and final disposition of case. Arr. by date of case. Index-
ed alph. by name of alleged insane person. Hdw. on pr. fm. 300 p.
18 X 12 X 2. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
124. RECORD OF JUDGrffiNT BY CO^JI'^ESSION, 1890—. 4 v. (1-4). Title
varies: Record of Confessions in Vacation and Fee Book, v, 1-3,
1890-1924.
Record of judgm.ents by confession in term time and vacction, showing
names of plaintiff and defendant, term date, type of action, amount of
judgment, and costs. Contains entries of foes to 1909, Arr. by term
date. Indexed alph. by name of plaintiff. Hdv:, on pr. fm. 300 p.
13 X 12 X 2. V. 1-5, 1890-1924, co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v, 4, 1925—,
CO. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
For subsequent rocord of fees, see entry 136.
125. DEUND SPECIAL DRAINAGE DISTRICT, 1930—. 1 v. (l).
Record of DeLand spocial drainage district proceedings, showing petition
for organization, court costs, mailing list of land owners, resolutions
of commissioners, grants of right of ■vvay, tax objections, benefit classi-
fications, )iotice of letting contract, minutes of meetings, annual re-
port of treasurer, and dates of elections of drainage commissioners.
Also contains maps of district folded and pasted bet;veen pages. W. J, Day,
engineer; J. R. Bovrer, surveyor. Arr. by date of proceedings. Indexed
alph. by title of subject. Typed and printed. 550 p. 18 x 12 x 3.
Maps, 4 in. to 1 mi. 30 x 48. Co. clk.'s vrork rm., 2nd fl.
Dockets
Court Dockets
126. CLERK'S DOCKET - LAW (and Criminal), 1872—. 9 v.
County clerk's docket of civil and criminal cases, shovriLng number of case,
names of attorneys, plaintiff, and defendant, type of action, dates, and
court orders. Arr. by ease no. No index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 150 p.,
9 X 14 X 1 - 12 X 18 X 2. 8 v., 1872-1933, co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.;
1 v., 1934—, CO. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
- 139 -
County Court - Dockets (127-133)
127. JUDGE'S DOCKET LAYJ' (and Criminal Open Cases), 1933—. 1 v. (5).
Judge's docket of open cases, showing case nuinber, action, tem date,
nainos of plaintiff, defendant, attorneys, and judge, and orders of court,
AiT. by case no» Ko index, Hdvj, under pr, hdgs, 300 p, 18 x 12 x 3,
Co, elk, 's Tit,, 1st fl.
For docket of closed cases, see entry 128,
128, JUDGE'S DOCKET L/i:«T (and Criminal), 1872-1933, 4 v, (l-4).
1934 — in Probate Judge's Order Docket, entry 1S8,
Judge's docket of all county court cases, showing case number, names of
plaintiff, defendant, attorneys, and judge, action, and date and orders
of court; also serves as a naturalization docket, 1887-1900, Arr. by
case no. No index, 'Idw, under pr, hdgs, 300 p, 18 x 12 x 2, Co, clk.'s
vlt,, 1st fl.
129. GE:oIERAL DOCKET, 188S— , 2 v. (l,2).
Docket of county court cases, showing names of plaintiff and defendant,
tj-pe of case, and term of hcs.ring, Arr, by date of hearing. No index,
Hdw,- under pr, hdgs, 300 p, IS x 12 x 5, V, 1, 1886-1911, co, elk, 's
Tit., 1st fl,. T,'"2, 1912-1, CO, clk.'s off., 2nd f 1 .
130, DOCKET OF INSMS CASES, 1893—, 2 t, (l, 2),
Docket of insanity cases^ showing name of insane person, date of filing
application, case number, najnes of witnesses, date of trial, and find-
ings and orders of the court, Arr, by date of case. No index. Hdw,
under pr, hdgs, 143 p. 18 x 12 x l-g-, Co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
131. JUDC-LffiNT MD EXECUTIOII DOCKET, 1879—. 4 v. (1-4),
Docket of judgments and executions, shoising term date, naiaes of plaintiff
and defendant, satisf "'.ction, costs, and sheriff's remarks. Judgment
Docket, entry 132 and Exocution Docket, entry 133, formerly kept separate-
ly, Arr, alph, by name of person against whom judgment is entered, In-
doxed alph, by name of defendant, lidvi, under pr. hdgs, 300 p,
12 X 18 X 3, V, 1, 2, 1879-1908, co, clk,'s vlt., 1st fl.; t, 3, 4,
1909—, CO, clk.'s off,, 2nd fl,
132, JUDGI'iENT DOCIffiT, 1872-78. 1 t, 1879— in Judgment and Execution
Docket, entry 151,
Docket of judgments entered in county court, shovdng number of case,
names of attorneys, plaintiff, and defendant, type of action, date and
amoimt of judgment, and against v/hora entered, costs, and satisfaction,
Arr. alph. by name of party against whom judgr.ient is entered. Indexed
alph. by name of plaintiff, ildw. under pr, hdgs, 300 p, 18 x 12 x 3,
Co. clk.'s Tit., 1st fl.
133. EXECUTION DOCtllT, 1860-78, 2 t, (l, 1 not numbered), 1879—
in Judgment and Execution Docket, entry 131,
Docket of executions in county court, showing case number, names of plain-
tiff and defendant, dates of issue and return, amount of judginent, damages,
and coots, satisfaction, and sheriff's remarks, Arr. alph. by name of
party against whom judgment is entered, 1860-71, no index; 1872-78,
indexed alph, by name of defendant. Hdw, under pr. hdgs, 300 p, 18 x 12
X 3, Co. clk.'s Tit., 1st fl.
- 140 -
County CoTirt - Fee Books; (134-138)
Hepoi'ts to Court; Bonds
134. BjiJl IWCKET, 1873-89. 3 v.
Bar docket of couiity court cases}, showing- nanes of plaintiff, defendant,
pnd attol•:^Gy, action of the court, fuid case numoer. Arr. by case no.
IIo inde::, I-Idv. tuader pr. hdgs. 175 -o, 9 - 13 z 1. Co. clk.'s vlt., Int
fl.
For Gu'oseqv^at doclcet entries, sec entry 129.
Justices' JDod'ets
135. rJS(riC2 SOCKS?, 1685—. 4 v. Uissins: 1910-28.
Docket of justices of the peace, showing date, n£?j.:os of plaintiff, de-
fendant, end justice, nature of case, amount of costs, and disposition
of case. Ai-V. "cy date of case. ITo inde;:, Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 200 p.
12 X 8 X 2. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Fee Booics
(See also entry 124)
136. FSZ BOOK - LAW AID CRIKirAL, 1872— . 9 v. (A-I).
Record of fees received in coniaon lav and criminal cases, showing names
of plaintiff and defendant, date aiid term of court, court costs, total
amount of fees, .^nd date of report. Arr. by date of receipt. Indexed
alph. hy nsine of defendant, Hdw, under pr. hdgs. 500 p. 18 x 12 x 2|.
Co. clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl.
Reports to Court
137. JUDGE'S iJOCKST OF FIFD3 AlTD F0RF2I7UHES, 1872-1917. 2 v. Kiss-
ing: 187-:^- 79.
Reports, of fines collected hy county clerk, police magistrate, justice of
th'.^ pccce, state' s attorney, end circ-jit clerk, showing date, anount, and
name of payer, Arr, by date of report. Indexed alph, by name of officer
reporting. Hdw, under nr, hdgs, 250 t), 12 x 18 x 2. Co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl.
Bonds
Officica (See also
entries 3, 77-80, 82Cxiii], 168)
138. DOCIST OF OFFICIAL BONDS, 1386--, 4 v. (l-4).
Record of exaiaination of officials' bonds, shov/ing name of person bonded,
date, ter.n, aid amount of bond, name of surety, and signature of county
clerk. This dodret duplicates the one in entry 78. Arr. by date of bond.
Indexed alph. by name of official. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 500 p.
18 X 12 X 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 141 -
County Court - Probation (159-144)
Court (See also
entries 82 [iv, xxxiii], 117, 119)
139, RECOGHIZANCS IN OPEN COURT, 1930—, 1 v, (l), 1872-83 in
County Court Record - Criminal, entry 120j 1884-1929 in County
Court Record (Law and Criminal), entry 118,
Copies of recognizance bonds, showing names of defendant and sureties,
date and amount of bond, and date and place of appearance, Arr, by date
of bond, IJo index. Ildw, on pr, fm, 200 p, IC x 12 x 2, Co, clk,'s
off,, 2nd fl.
Probation
Juvenile (See also entry 151)
140, (DEPSWDMT AI\iD DELINQfJMT CASE PAPERS), 1872 — , 1872-1908 in
Common Law, entry 117; 1909 — in (Miscellaneous Papers), entry
82,
Original papers filed in dependent and delinquent cases, including peti-
tions, complaints, affidavits, investigation reports, verdicts, and
orders of the court, Hdv;, on pr, fm, and typed,
141, Jm''ENT.LE DOCKET (Mothers' Pension and Dependent and Delinquent
Record), 1913—, 3 v, (l-3).
Record of mothers' pension and dependency and delinquency cases, shovdng
case number, names of mother, dependent or delinquent child, and judge,
ntimbor and ages of mothors' children, and proceedings and disposition of
case, Arr, by case no. No index, Hdw, 158 p. 18 x 12 x l|-, Co. clk,'s
off,, 2nd fl.
Mothers' Pensions (See also
entries 2, 19, 141 )
142, (MOTHERS' AID ADMINISTRATION), 1934—, 1 f,b.
File of mothers' pension papers, including monthly reports to the proba-
tion officer, probation officer's monthly report to the state, applica-
tions for pension, and reports of investigations, Arr, alph, by name of
applicant. No index, Hdw, on pr. fm, 12 x 12 x 24, Co. ct. m., 2nd fl©
143, (MOTHERS' PENSION APPLICATIONS), 1913—, In (Miscellaneous
Papers), entry 82,
Original applications for mothers' pensions, showing date and nuiaber of
application, name and address of applicant, personal, occupational, and
financial particulars, endorsements, and petitions to county court.
Typed on pr, fm,
144, RECORD OF MOTHERS' PENSION, 1913—, 1 v, (l).
Mothers' pension record shovdng naraos of petitioner and mother, names and
ages of dependent children, and date, amoimt, and number of warrant. Arr,
by date of warrant. Indexed alph, by name of mother, Hdvi?, on pr, fm,
250 p, 18 X 12 X 2, Co, clk.'s vjork nn., 2nd fl.
- 142-
County Court - Inheritanco (145-149)
Tax» Naturalization
Inheritance Tax
(Soe also entries 151 and 280)
145. INHERITANCE TAX, 1920—, 10 f.b. (205, 338, 381, 382, 386. 407,
497, 511, U38, 5SG). 1914-19 in (Miscellaneous Papers), entry 82,
Inheritance tax returns, orders assessing tax, certificates of county
clerk transmitting order of jiidge, and nailing notice; order for nailing
aporaisement notice, acknov/ledgment of copy of inheritance return, and
copy of order to county o^dge, Arr. by date of tax return. For index,
see entry 150, Nature of recording varies, 10 x 4-^ x 14, Co, clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl,
ITfituralization
(See also entries 82[xxvl, 128, 197, 225)
146. NATURALIZATION RECORD - INTENTION, 1860-1905, 1 v.
Copies of declarations of intention, showinf, names of alien, county clerk,
and former country of allegiance, and date of declaration. Also contains
Pinal Record of Naturalization - Adult, 18G0-B3, entry 147, and Natural-
zation Record - Soldiers and Minors, 1860-63, entry 149. Arr. by date
of declaration. Indoxod alph. by name of alien, Hdw. on pr, fra. 582 p,
18 X 12 x 5. Co. cll-.'n vlt,, Ist fl.
147. FINAL RECORD OF NATURALIZATION - AJDULT, 1884-1906, 2 v, (1, 3),
1860-83 in Naturalization Record - Intention, entry 146.
Copies of petitions and final naturalization papers, showing names of
alien and vri. tnesses, country of foraor allegiance, oath and petition,
and dates of petition and final certificate, Arr. by date of final cer-
tificate. Indexed alph. by n^sne of alien. Kdw, on pr. fra. 300 p,
18 X 12 X 2, Co, clk,'s vlt., 1st fl.
148. FIN.'O. RECORD OF NATURALIZATION - MINOR, 1888-1906, 2 v. (1 not
numbered, 4), 1864-87 in Naturalization Record - Soldiers and
Minors, entry 149,
Copies of petitions and final naturalization papers of minors, showing
names of alien and witnesses, country of former allegiance, oath and peti-
tion, and dates of petition and final certificate, Arr. by date of final
certificate, Indoxod alph. by naino of alien. Hdw. on pr. fm. 400 p.
18 X 12 X 2|-, Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
149. NATURALIZATION RECORD - SOLDIERS AOT MNORS, 1864-88, 1 v.
1860-63 jn Naturalization Record - Intention, entry 146,
Copies of petitions, final oaths, and certificates of soldiers, showing
names of alien, witnesses, country of former allegiance, judge, sheriff,
state's attorney, and county clerk, and dates. Also contains Final
Record of Naturalization - Hinor, 1864-87, entry 148. Arr. by date of
petition. Indexed alph. by name of alien, Hdw, on pr. fm, 518 p,
18 X 12 X 3. Co, elk, »s vlt,, 1st fl.
(Next entry 150, p. 146)
Y. PHOBATE COURT
Jurisdiction in probate matters in Piatt County was vested in a
separate probate court fror.". tie organization of the county, in 1841,
until 1849, Froia 1841 to 1G49, probate court in Piatt County was held
by a probate justice o2 the peace who was elected by the county electorate
for a four-year tem. The temi vjas reduced in 1847 to two years, ^ The
jurisdiction of the probate court was transferred to the newly created
county court in 1849, ^ The Piatt countj^ court has retained probate
jurisdiction from that date to the present,^
As enunciated by the present constitution and subsequent legisla-
tion, the jurisdiction of tl:e court extends to all probate matters, the
settlement of estates of deceased persons, the appointment of guardians
and conservators and settlement of their accounts, all matters relating
to apprentices, and cases of sales of real estate of deceased persons for
pajrment of debts, ^ The court has power to impanel a jury for the trial
of issues or matters of fact in any of these proceedings before it,G
Appeals may be taken from the final orders, judgments, decrees of
the probate court to the circuit court of the county except in proceed-
ings in applications of executors, administrators, guardians, and conserva-
tors for the sale of rea.1 estate. The appellant must give bond and
secujrity in such amount and upon such condition "-s the court shall re-
quire •
Aiding the court in its jurisdiction over the administration of
intestate estates and the guardianship of minors, are the public
administrator and the public guardian, Each officer is appointed
quadrettiially by the Governor with the advice and consent of the
senate. The public administrr.tor and public guardian are required
to enter into bonds set r.nd approved by the court in suins not less than
$5,000,*^ Their duties arc porforip.ed under the direction and orders of
the court. The records that result from their prescribed duties appear
1, L,1836-57, p. 176, From 1821 to 1837, probate court was held by a
prob'atc judge (L,1821, p. 119, 120).
2, L,1S45 , D, 28.
3, Constitution of 1648, Art. V, sec, 16, I85 L,1C49, p. 65.
4, R.S.1874, p. 539, 340; ^193^, p. 449, 458.
5, Constitution of 1870, Ar€7vi, sec. 20; L,1877, p, 80,
6, R.S.18 45, p, 425; L,1 933, p, 450,
7, L,1825 , p, 70-72; R,L,"lS29, p, 208; R.L.I 8 35, p. 627, 628; R.,S_._1845,
p, 548; L, 1 871-72 , p, 89; L.1681, p. 3- L.1S89, p, 165,
- 143 -
- 144 -
pr-obate Court
air.cng the records of the ccurt with those of other administrators,
executors, and guardians,
IThen there is no relative or creditor ivho will adninistor an in-
testate estate, the court ccnmits the adninistration to the public
adninistrator upon application of any person interested in the estate.^
If a wido'v, next of kin, or creditor cf the deceased appears vd.thin six
months after the adninistration is granted to the public administrator,
the court then revokes its grant cf administration to the public adminis-
trator and orders letters of administration granted to such person
interested in the estate. If, after all debt and charges against the
estate which have been presented within twr y'-3ars after the adr.inistration
of the estate vnxs cocrdttod to such public administrator are fully paid, and
any balance of intestate estate ror.ains, the ar.r.inistrator causes a notice
to be published requiring persons still having claims against the estate
to present then to the county court vdthin six months. If no claims are
presented, the balance is paid into the county treasury upon the expira-
tior. of the six-rionbh period, the county remaining answerable to any
future claims,^
As already noted, the court has authority to appoint guardians of
minor heirs of deceased persons. In cases v/here the minor is under four-
teen years of age the court appoints his guardian. Wien the minor is over
fourteen he may nominare his own guardian, subject to the approval cf the
court, ^ Under the direction of the ccurt, the guardian is responsible fcr
the custody, nurture, and tuition of his v/ard and the care and management
of his estate. The ccurt may asi'ign the guardianship of the estate to one
guardian and the custody- and tuition of the ward to another. 4 Yvithin sixty
dF.ys after his appointment, the guardian returns to the court a complete
inventory of the real and personal estate of the ward in the form prescribed
by lav/, 5 At the end of the first year of his appointment, and every three
years thereafter, he rakes a settlem.ent of his accounts, V»hen his trust is
completed or upon the death cf tlae ward, the guardian m.akes final settle-
m.ent and delivers over to persons entitled to them the property and papers
in his hands as guardian. ^ Upon failure of a guardian appointed by the
court to act within three months in this capacity, the court commits the
guardianship of the miner to the public guardian. 7 Ty^e latter 's records
appear vdtli those of other guardians.
1. R.L.1855 , p. 628; R.S.1P45 , p. 548; L. 1871-72 , p, 89.
2. Ic.S.1545 , p, 549j L,ie71-72 , p, 89,90,
5. L.lS.Sl , p, 100; L.1655 , p. 36; R.S.1845 , p. 265,266; L.187?-74 , p. 107j
L.1-J19 , p. 583; L.lDol , p, 618; L.19.-7 , p. 660,
4. I. 1371-72 , p, 469; L.1377 , p. 114,
5. L.1919 , p. 582; L.1955 , p. 644.
6. L. 1871-72 , p. 471; L.1919 , p. 583: L.1929 , p. 506,
7. L,1369, p, 165,
- 145 -
Probate Court
'Hhe probate justice of the peace, 1841 to 1849, performed the minister-
ial function of the probate clerk, ^ From the establishment of the county
court in 1849, until the present, the county clerk has served as ex-officio
probate clerk, 2-
The clerk is required to attend the sessions of court, issue all
process, preserve all files and papers, make, keep, and preserve complete
records of all the proceedings and determinations of the court, and per-
form all other duties pertaining to his office as required by law or the
rules and orders of his court. He is required to enter of record all
judgments, decrees, and orders of the court. ^
Tlie major records of the probate coiirt kept by the clerk are the
following:
1, Journal of all judicial proceedings and determinations
of the judge.
2. A judgment docket vdth a direct and an indirect index:
former, by name of claimant against estate; latter, by
estate. In practice, the requirement of ti,YO indexes
often leads to two dockets.
5, Books for recordation of bonds and letters of adminis-
trators, executors, guardians, and conservators; appraise-
ment and sale bills; widows' relinquishment and selection
of property'-; vri.lls and the probate thereof; annual and
final reports of administrators, executors, guardians, and
conservators. Generally, each category of these probate
business matters is recorded separately, but the segrega-
tion is not always carefully maintained,
4. Separate dockets of unsettled estates and claims against
estates, and a ledger of the accounts of executors,
administrators, and guardians. Note that tlie dockets of
probate business matters are separated from dockets of
court proceedings just as are the books of recordation of
the two categories; the intention of the law to make this
distinction is further shown in its grantirig the clerk,
during vacation of the court, power to receive petitions,
accept bonds, grant letters testamentary, etc.
1. L»1837, p. 177,178, The early probate judge was required to act as
his ovm clerk (L,1821 , p, 119,120).
2. Constitution of 1848, .'rt, V, sec, IS, 18; L,1849 , p. 63-65; R.S.1S74 ,
p. 339,340,
3. L.1677, p, 82,
- 145 -
Probate Court - Proceedings (150-153)
of Court
5. Files of original documents not subject to recordation;
indexes to such; records of offiC'^ transactions in pursu-
ance of the court's orders to the clerk, necessary in the
latter 's settlement with that body.l
Proceedings of Court
General Proceedings
150. INDSX TO ESTATES, 1853--. 1 v. (l).
Index to Inheritance Tax, entry 145; Administrators' Socords (Files), entry
157; Executors' Record (Files), entry 160; and Conservators' Files, entry 165,
shov/ing names of estate and administrative official, and file box number.
Arr. alph. by name of' estate. Hdw. under vr. hdgs. Paper poor. 300 p.
13 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
151. PROBATE RECORD, 18'4S— . 42 v. (A, C-N, P-Z, 1-18).
Record of probate court proceedings, inclviding petitions for reports of
probate officers, bonds and decrees, letters, appointments, wills, and ci-
tations of executors, shor/ing names of esta.te, executor, administrator,
guardian, and conservator, date and amount of claim, names of claimants,
court orders, and inheritance tax records; includes dependency records,
18P9-1912, and delinquency, 1905-12. Also contains Probate Court Journal,
1843-89, 1895--, entry 152, and Probate Judge's Claims, 1843-74, 1929—,
entry 153. Arr. by date of proceedings. Indexed alph. by name of estate.
1343-1907, hd-.v.; 1908—, typed. 550 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st
fl.
152. PROBATE COURT JOURI^'Al, 1890-94. 1 v. 1843-89, 1895— in Probate
Record, entry 151.
Record of ordeis by judge to pay claims against estates, sho-wing names of
estate, claimant, and judge, term date, aiaount and date of claim, and date
of order. Arr. by date of order. Indexed alph. by name of claimant. Hd'.7.
600 p. 18 X 12 X 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
153. PROBATE JUDGE'S CLAIMS, 1875-1928. 6 v. (C-H). 1843-74, 1929—
in Probate Record, entry 151.
Register of claims against estates, showing navies of claimant and estate,
date of filing, amount of claim, and satisfaction. Arr. by date of claim.
IJo index. Hd-v. under pr. hdgs. 500 n. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl.
1, L.1821 , p. 119,120; R.L.1829 . p. 215,231; L.1837 . p. 429; R.S.1845 .
p. 427,428; L.1851 . n. 193; 1.1859 , p. 92-94; R.S.1974 , p. 260-65;
L.1877 , p. 63; L.1933. p. 293.
- 147 -
Probate Court - Proceedings (154-159)
of Court
154. CLAIM JITC-1!ENT RECORD, 1881—, 7 v. (O-Q, K-H) .
Record of claims allowed on judgments, shov/ing term date, names of judge,
sheriff, clerk, estato, and administrator, name of paper in which adjust-
ment notice printed, tj-pe and amount of claim, and decrees of court, Arr.
by date of claim, Indoyod alph. by namo of estate, Hdv/, 300 p.
I's X 12 X 3. Co, clk.'s vlt., 1st' fl.
155. AFFTDr/TT OF POSTING NOTICES, 1866-78, 1 v, 1859-65, 1879— in
Estate Ledger, entry 182,
Record of affidavits that notices were posted in regard to the settlement
of estates, shc'dnj nar.ies of estate and administrator, and date of term
of court. Arr. by date of affidavit. Indexed alph. by name of ostate,
Hdw. on pr. fm. 400 p, IK x 12 x 2, Co, clk,'s vlt,, 1st fl.
Wills, Bonds, Letters
"(See also entries" 78", 151)
156. mLL RECORD, 1849—, 6 v, (A-F).
Copies of vrills filed for probate, shovn.ng name of deceased, date of vdll,
date set for probate, clauses of mil, names of -.Titnesses, and dates of
proof of death and filing. 7, A, 1849-77, also contains bonds and oaths
of administrators, executors, and guardians, and petitions for incorpora-
tion of villages, Arr, by date of filirig. Indexed alph. by name of de-
ceased, 1849-1911, hdw. on pr, fm, j 1912—, typed on pr, fn, 500 p,
18 X 12 X 3, V, A-E, 1849-1927, co, clk.'s vlt., 1st fl,; v. F, 1928—,
CO, clk.'s work rm. , 2nd fl,
157. ADMMSTRATORS' RECORDS (Files), 1841—, 110 f,b, (18-564 not
consecutive).
Files of administrators' estate papers, including petitions, oaths, bonds,
and letters of administration, proofs of will and of heirship, accounts
current and final, reports on condition of estate, inventories, appraise-
ments, sale bills, Y/idows' selections, and claims against estates, Arr.
by date of paper. For index, see entry 150, Hdw,, tjrped, and hdw. and
typed on pr. fm. 10 x 14 x 4-^. Co. clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl,
158. AD!;n:>JISTRATOHS' RECORD, 1859—, 8 v, (A-H),
Copies of administrators petitions, oaths, bonds, and letters, showing
nemos of petitioner, deceased, judge, clerk, and sureties, date of petition,
amount and date of bond, and date of issuance of letters, Arr, by date of
instrvraent. Indexed alph. by name of estate. Hdw. on pr, fm. 300 p,
18 X 12 X 3, Co, clk,'s vlt,, 1st fl,
159. '.DI'irHSTPJiTORS' BO'ID, IVITH YTTLL AOTIEXED, 1927—. 1 v. (1).
1872-192G in Iliscellaneous Bond Record, entry 169.
Copios of petitions, oaths, bonds, and letters of administration v/ith v.dll
annexed, showing names of estate, administrator, and sureties , date and
amount of bonds, and dates of petitions and letters, Arr. by date of in-
strument. Indexed alph. by name of ostate, Hdw, on pr. fm, 100 p,
18 X 12 X 3. Co. clk.'s off,, 2nd fl.
- 148 -
Frc'bate Court ~ Prrceedinga (16C-165)
cf Ccurt
160. EOIGUTORS' RECCRT (files). 1841—. 71 f.b. (9-13, 37.94-98,
lCl-104, 121-132, 205-216, 225-227, 391-397, 425, 431, 433, 435,
444_440, 452, 454, 460, 499, 5C2, 506-509, 512, 541, 546, 562,
5G5) .
Original docunents file! in settle.T.ent of estates ty executors, including
petitions, oaths, tends, letters of execvitcrship, proofs cf will and of
heirship, accounts c\irrent and final, reports en ccnditicn cf estjte, final
reports, inventories, appraisements, sale bills, widows' selections, and
clairaG on estates. Arr. by date of dccii-nent. Tor index, see entry 150,
Hdv. , t^ioel, and hdw. and typed on pr. fm. 10 x 'l4 x 14. Co. die's vlt.,
1st fl.
151. SXZCUTCHS* RZCORD, 1375--. 5 v. (ir-E).
Copies 01 executors' petitions, oaths, bonds, and letters, showing; term
date, na-ies of judge, cler::, sureties, appraiser, petitioner, and de-
ceased, aoyointxent and repcrt of appraiser, amount and condition of bend,
and nctiu'ial aci:nowledg!nent. Arr. by date of instr^jiment. Indexed alph.
by naJEG of estate. Hdw. on pr. fm. 3C0 p. 10 x 18 x 3. V. A-B, 1875-
1923, CO. cllc.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. S, 1924—, co. elk. ' s off.. 2nd fl.
1C2. GJARDIAITS' PAPERS, 1^41—. 55 f.b. (1-8, 19, 105-120. 217-224,
553, 560).
Files of jaardians' estate papers, incl ;.ding petitions, oaths, bonds, letters
cf g-aardiannhip, proofs cf will and of heirship, accoimts current, reports
en condition of estate, final reports, inventories, appraisements, sale bills,
widows' selections, and claims against estate. Also contains Ccnsorvators'
Files, 1341-32, entry 165. Arr. by date of document. For index, see entry
163. Kdv.', , typed, and hdw. and ty^ed on pr. fm. 10 x 4.^ x 14. Co. cli.'s
vlt., Int fl.
163. SUARDIAIIS- IITBEX, 1857—. 1 v. (l).
Index to Guai'dians' Papers, entry 162, showin<: names cf ward and pi-iardian
and fill; box number. Arr. alph. by njime of ward. Hdw. under nr. hdgs.
300 p. in X 12 X 2. Co. die's vlt., 1st fl.
164. G-UARLIAIIS' RECORD, 1859—. 5 v. (Ar-E).
Copies of giaai'dians' petitions, oaths, bonds, and letters, shewing names of
minor, /juardian, and sureties, dates rf bonds and letters, amount and terms of
bond, aiid notarial acrznowledgment . Arr. by date of document. Indexed alph.
by name of g'.iardian. Hdw, on pr. fm. 300 p. 16 x 12 x 7. V. A-r, 1859-1925,
CO. cr:.»n vlt., 1st fl.; v. E, 192-—, co. die's off., 2nd fl.
165. COilSLRVATORS" FILES, 1853—. 16 f.b. (83, 84, 186, 194, 205, 343,
379, 380, 385, 408, 426, 498, 514, 536, 537, r.5l). 1841-52 in
Guardians' Papers, entry 162.
Files of conservators' papers, including petitions, oaths, bonds, letters
of conservatorship, proof of heirship, accounts cu.-rent, final accounts,
reports on condition of estate, final reports, inventories, appraisements,
sale bills, and claims a,2;ainst estate. Arr. by date cf dccvunent; For index,
see entry 150, Hdw., typed, and hdw. and typed on pr. fm. 10 x 4^ x 14.
Go. cl'-..J3 vlt., let fl.
- 149 -
Probate Court - Proceedings (166-170)
of Court
166, CONSERVATORS' RECORDS, 1887—. 2 v, (2, 3). 1872-86 in Insane
and Conservators' Record, entry 167,
Copies of conservators' petitions for appointment, oaths, bonds, and
letters, showing date, nanes of petitioner and alleged insane person, and
sureties, Arr, by date of doci:ment. Indexed alph. by name of alleged
insane person, Hdw. on pr, fm, 150 p, 18 x 12 x li, Co. elk, 's vlt,,
1st fl,
167, IKSAi'TE AND CO;\tSERVATORS' RECOPJ), 1872-86. 1 v.
Record of statement of insanitj'- as proven by examination, and commitment
to institution, showing names of examiner and alleged insane person, date
of examination, history of case, petition and appointment of conservator,
order of court, r.nd name of judge. Subsequently kept as Insanity Record,
entry 123, and Conservators' Records, entry 166. Arr. by date of case.
Indexed alph. by name of alleged insane person, Hdw, on pr. fm, 410 p.
18 X 12 X 2-|-. Co, elk. 's vlt,, 1st fl,
168, BONDS, 1870—, 8 f,b. (50, 53, 59, 69, 76, 160, 255, 486).
Bonds of administrators, conservators, guardians, executors, county offi-
cers, collectors, supervisors, and appeal bonds, Arr, by date of bond.
For index, see ontry 1. Hdw, on pr. fr.\, 10 x 4^ x 14. Co. elk, 's vlt,,
1st fl.
169, inSCELLAlffiOUS EOJID RECORD, 1872—. 4 v. (A, A, 1, 2). Title
varies: Probate Bonds and Letters Miscellaneous.
Record of miscellaneous bonds, letters, and oaths, including bonds and
letters de bonis non, bonds to collect, and guardians' additional bonds,
showing names of estate, sureties, and principal, and date, terms, and
amount of bond. Also contains Administrators' Bond, with Will Annexed,
1872-1926, entry 159, and Bond Record - Sale of Real Estate, 1872-1904,
ontry 180. ;\rr. by date of bond or letter. Indexed alph. by name of
principal, 1872-84, hdv/, on pr. fm, j 1885 — , hdw. and typed on pr, fm.
300 p, 18 X 12 X 2. V, A, A, 1, 1872-1930, co, clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl,;
V, 2, 1931—, CO, clk.'s work rm, , 2nd fl,
170, MISCELLA^tsoUS RECORD, 1900—. 3 v, (1-3).
Record of bonds and oaths of administrators, executors, guardians, and
conservators, widows' relinquishments, decrees to sell real estate,
adoptions, state's attorneys' reports, and reports of sale by guardians,
executors, administrators, and conservators. Also contains Sale of
Real Estate, Petition and Report, 1900-1902, entry 178, and Guardians'
Sale Record, 1921 — , entry 181. Arr. by date of document. Indexed
alph, by names of subject and person, Hdw, 400 p, 18 x 12 x 3, Co,
clk,»s vlt,, l3t fl.
- 150 -
Probate Court - Proceedings (171-174)
of Coiirt
Inventories siid ^praiscmonts (See also
entr ics 157, 160, 1S2, 165)
171. Ilf73!TT0RY RECORD, 1869—. 10 T. (B-K). 1860-63 in Inventory,
Apprrlsono-t, and SpIo Record, entry 173.
Record of inventories of administrators a:id executors, showing names of
estate aiid administrator, itemized list of rerJ and personal property,
and notes aiid acco-jnts receivable. Also contains Gurjdirjis' Inventory
Record, 1869-71, entry 174, and Conservators' Inventory, 1869-9S, entry
175. Arr. oy date of inventory. Indexed alph, by najno of estate. 1869-
1913, hdv;. on -pr. fm.; 1914— , typec'. on pr. "fm. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 3.
V. B-I, CO. cllc.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. J,K, co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
172. ^■ffPRiUSH-ISIT R3G0RD, 1870—. 8 v. (B-l). 1860-69 in Inventory,
Arpraisoment, and Sale Record, entry 173.
Record of ax)pr,'>j.sement of estates in probate, showing nt-jnes of estate,
appraiser, vadov/, minor heirs, and judge, co-art order appointing appraiser,
dates of oath and acknov/ledgaent, appraisement bill with itemized state-
ment and value of real and personal property, total value, and rjnount of
allowance to vddov/ and minor children. Arr. by date of appraisal. In-
dexed rl-oh, by name of estate. Hdv/. on pr. fm. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 3.
V. B-H, 1870-1929, co. clk.'s vlt,, Ist fl.; v. I, 1930—, co. clk.'s
off., 2rA il.
173. ir/ZHTTORY, APPRAISE-iZITT, AI^D SALE RSCCRI), 1860-69. 1 v.
Record of inventories, appraisements, and sales of estates in probate,
showin.^- names of estate, administrator, executor, conservator, and
guardiaai; lists of chattel properties and real estate and value; notes
and accounts vith name of debtor, date, interest, and amount due; dates
of apprrlsrl and sale, waxrrjit to and oath of appraiser; estimated value
of property, amount of sale, and notr'Xial acknowledgment. Inventory
Record, entry 171; Appraisement Record, entry 172; Guardians' Inventory
Record, entry 174; Conservators' Inventory, entry 175; and Sale Record
of Personal Property, entry 179, subseqiacntly kept separately. Arr. by
date of appraisal, inventory, or sale. Indexed alph. by name of estate.
Hdw. on pr. fm. 350 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
174. ffUARDIAI'S' IIWZ^'TCRY RECORD, 1873~. 2 V. (A, B) . 1860-68 in
Inventory, j^praisement, and Sale Record, entry 173; 1869-71
in Inventory Record, entry 171,
Record of guardians' inventories of estates, shewing narnes of estate and
administrator, itemized list of real and personal property, notes and
accounts receivable, liabilities, f.nd oaths as to correctness of report,
Arr, by C.o.te of inventory. Indexed rlph, by name of ward. 1872-1916,
hdw, on pr, fr.,; 1917 — , typed on or. fm, 200 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl.
- 151 -
Probate Court - Pro- (175-179)
ceedin^s of Court
175, conservators' im'E?ITORY, 1899--. 1 v. (A). 1860-68 in Inventory,
Appraiseraent, and Sale Record, entry 173; 1869-98 in Inventory
Record, entry 171,
Conservators' inventories record of estates, showing value of estates of
insane or incoKipetent person, assets, liabilities, to -whom credits owing,
and names of conservator and v;ard, Arr, by date of inventory. Indexed
alph, by name of v;ard, Hdw, and typed, 260 p, 18 x 12 x 3, Co, elk, 's
off,, 2nd fl.
Vfidows ' Relinquishment an d
Selection (See also entries
157, 160, 162, 170),
176, WIDOV'rS' RELILKiUISI-aENT iilJD SELECTIOH RECORD, 1656--, 5 v, (A-E),
Record of widows' rolinquishraents and selections, shotdng names of estate,
vadovj, minors, and adirdnistrator, amount as appraised, amount of selection
by v;idow, v;idov;'s acknowlodgp.ent, sind date of filing, Arr, by date of
filing. Indexed alph, by naj-ao of estate, Hdv;, en pr, fm, 300 p, 18 x 12
X l|-, V, A-C, 1866-1909', co, clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. D, E, 1910--, co,
clk.'s work m,, 2nd fl.
Petitions, Decrees, Reports
of S ale (See also entries
TFTfTGO, 162, 165, 170)
177, PROCEEDINGS Gli PETITIONS TO SELL PiJAL ESTATE, 1862-85. 1 v.
Record of petitions of a.dininistrators to proba.te court for permission to
sell real estate to pay debts and claims against estates, showing names
of administrator and estate, amount of claim and court order, Ai^r, by
date of petition. Indexed alph, by name of estate, Hdw, 200 p. 18 x 12
X 2, Co. elk, 's vlt., 1st fl.
178, SALE OF RE/ii ESTATE, PETITION AKD REPORT, 1903—, 2 v, (l, 2),
1900-1902 in Miscellaneous Record, entry 170,
Copies of petitions of administrators, executors, and conservators to sell
real estate to pay debts, shovidng date or term of court, names of judge
and petitioner, cjAOunt of liabilities and assets, description and location
of real estate for salo, and notarial seal, Arr, by date of sale. Index-
ed alph. by niiiao of estate. 1903-22, hdw, on pr, flp.,; 1923—, typed on pr.
fm. 300 p. 18 X 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl,
179, SALE RECORD OF PERSOM^U PROPERTY, 1869—, 6 v. (B-F, 1869—;
P, 1921—). 18G0-68 in Inventory, Appraisement, and Sale Record,
entry 173.
List of personal property sold by administrators, guardians, or executors
to assist in settling estates, showing date and amoimt of sale, name of
purchaser, and description of property. One of the volumes lettered F
is for private sales, the other for public sales, ^'u-r. by date of sale.
Indexed alph, by nrjiio of property owner. Hdw. 200 p, 18 x 12 x 3. V,
B-E, 1869-1920, co, clk.'s vlt,, Ist fl,; v. F, F, 1921—, co. clk.'s
off., 2nd fl.
- 152 -
Probate Court - Proceedings (180-134)
of Court
180. BOND PJ:C0RD - SALE 0? REAL SSTAT2. 1905—. 1 v. (A). 1872-1904
In Hiscellanecus Bond r.ecord, entry 159.
Copies of administrators' bonds i;i cases of Sr?.le of ror.l estate to pay
debts, showing names of estate, adii:inistrator, and sureties, and date
and amount of bond. Arr. by date of bond. Indexed alph. by name of estate.
Hdv7. on pr. fm. 300 p. 12 x 18 x 2. Co. clk.'s o:^f . , 2ad fl.
181. GUARLIASS' SALS PJSXRD, 1908-20. 1 v. 1921— in Miscellaneous
Record, entry 170.
Copies of petitions of guardians to sell real estate and reports of sales,
showing names of estate, minors, guardioji, and 'sureties, date and ternis of
bond, court orders, ap.d dates of sale and report. Arr. by date of rale.
Indexed alph. by name of v/ai-d. Typed en pr. fm. 250 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Co.
elk. 's vlt., 1st fl.
Reports, Current and Final Accounts (See
also entries 157,150,162,165)
182. ESTATE LEDGER, 1859—. 10 v. (A, 2-10). Kissing: 1872-1901.
Probate estate ledger shovjing names of deceased and administrator, date of
letters, amount of bond, nanes of v^idow, heirs, and sureties, date of in-
ventory, sale bill, and amo\uit of each sale. Also coiitains Affidavit of
Posting Notices, 1859-65, 1379 — , entry 155, and Administrators' Accounts,
Current Probate Accounts, 185S- 71, 1903 — , entry 186. Arr. by date of case.
Indexed alph. by name of estate. Hdvj. on pr. fn. 300 p. 13 x 12 x 5.
V. A, 2-4, 1859-1915, co. clk.'s vlt., Ist fl.; v. 5-10, 1916—, co . clk.'s
off., 2nd fl.
183. ADIHIIISTHATORS' AlsD SXZ-CUTCRS ' REPORT RECORD, 1374—. 15 v.
(A-0).
Report record of administrators and executors, sho'jrin^- names of estate,
petitioner, and heirs, dates of petition, bond, and letters, dates and
amounts of receipts and e::penditur>?s, purpose, signat'iJire of agent, and re-
capitulation. Also contains Gai;,rdiex.s' Reports, 1974-85, entry 184, and
Conservators' Report Record, 1674-96, entry 185. Arr. by date of report.
Indexed alph. by nsme of estate. 1874-1918, hdw. on or. fm. ; 1919—,
typed on pr. fn. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2?,-. V. A-L, 1874-1329, co. clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl.; V. i:-0, 1930—, co , clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
184. GUARDIANS' PJIFORTS, 1886—. 7 v. (1-7). 1874-85 in Administra-
tors' and Executors' Report Record, entry 183.
Report record of guardians, shoring nanes of estate and gioardian, dates of
petition, letters, and report, dates, piirpose, and amoijnts of receipts and
expenditures, signature of j'j.ardian, and recapitulation. Arr. by date of
report. Indexed alph. by name of estate. Kdv7. on pr. fm. 300 p.
18'x 12 X 3. V. 1-5, 1886-1925, co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. 5, 7. 1926—,
CO. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
- 153 -
Probate Court - Dockets (185-190)
185, CONSERVATORS' REPORT RECORD, 1897—, 2 v, (A, E), 1874-96 in Ad-
ministrators' and Executors' Report Record, entry 183,
Conservators' report record of assets and liabilities of estates, showing
date and amounts of I'oceipts and expenditures, purpose, names of payee and
payer, ward, and conservator, balance on hand and general condition of
estate, judge's signature, and date of approval, Arr, by date of report.
Indexed alph, by naiae of ward, 1897-1913, hd-v, on pr, fm.; 1914—, typed
on pr. fm. 250 p, 18 x 12 x 3, Co. clk.'s vli,, 1st f 1 .
186« ADfflNISTPilTOES' ACCOUNTS, CURRENT (Probate Accounts), 1872-1902,
1 v, 1859-71, 1903— in Estate Ledger, entry 182,
Account records of estates, showing names of estate and administrator,
executor, guardian, or conservator, receipts and expenditures, names of
payee and payer, and dates, Arr. by dato of report. Indexed alph. by
name of estate, Hdw, on pr, fm, 200 p, 18 x 12 x 2, Co, clk,'s vlt.,
1st fl.
Dockets
187, GUARDIANS' ESTATE DOCKET, 1846—, 1 v, (l).
Estate docket of guardiansj shov/ing nEJmes of guardian, ward, and sureties,
dates of letters and bond, age of ward, amount of bond, and date and
amount of inventories, appraisals, and sales. This record was compiled
from Guardians' Papers, entry 162, in 1908, Arr, by date of case. Indexed
alph, by name of ward, Ildw, under pr, hdgs, 216 p, 18x12x2, Co,
clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl,
188, PROBATE J"JDGE'S ORDER DOCKET, 1858—, 29 v. (2 not lettered, B-N,
N, O-Z, Z).
Judge's probi-.te docket showing names of estate, probate officer, claimant,
attorneys, and jurors, case num.bor, term dato, action, and orders of court.
Also contains Judge's Docket Law (and Criminal), 1934 — , entry 128, and
Probate Judgment Docket, 1907 — , entry 191, Arr, by date of court order.
No index. Hdw. under pr, hdgs, 400 - 600 p, 1 8 x 12 x 3 - l6 x 12 x 5.
2 V, not lettered, v. 3-Y, 1858-1928, co. elk, «s vlt,, 1st fl.; 2 v, Z,
1929—, CO. elk, 's off., 2nd fl,
189, JUDGE'S PROBATE DOCKET, 192 8—, 1 v.
Judge's docket of open probate cases, showing case number, names of estate,
attornoys, administrator, executor, guardian, conservator, and bondsmen,
tern date, action, and orders of court, Arr. by dato of term. For index,
see entry 190, Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 700 p, 16 x 14 x 5, Co, clk.'s off.,
2nd fl.
190, INDEX JUDGE'S PROBATE DOCKET, 192 8—, 1 v.
Index to Judge's Probate Docket, entry 189, showing case number, names of
estate, administrator, executor, guardian, and conservator, and file box
number and fee book of entry, Arr, alph, by name of estate. Hdw, under
pr. hdgs. 100 p, 16 X 13 X 1. Co. clk.'s off,, 2nd fl.
- 154- -
Probate Court - Fee Books (191-196)
191. PKOBATE JIIDGlffiNT DOCKET, 1859-1906, 5 v, (A-E). 1907— in
Probate Judge's Order Docket, entry 188.
Docket of judfrnorts of claims a/^ainst ostator., showing names of claimant,
nature and amount of claim, and date and amount of judf^ment. Arr. by
date of judgment. For index, soo entry 192, Hdw, under pr. hdgs. 300 p.
18 X 12 X 2j, Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
192. PROBATE JUDGMEKT DOCKET IlIDEX - DIRECT AND IMIRECT, 1859-1906,
2 V. (A, B).
Index to Probate Judgment Docket, entry 191, showing names of claimant
and estate, and book and page of docket entry. Arr. alph, by name of
claimant, Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 500 p. 18 x 12 x 2-|-. Co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl.
Fee Books
(See also entry 73)
193. GUAF.DIAITS ' , CONSERVATORS', AND IIISCELLAI^IEOUS FEE BOOK, 1849—,
10 V. (2 not labeled, 1849-65; A-E, 1-3, 1358—), Title
varies: Probate Fee Book, v. A-D, 1358-1911,
Register of guardians', conservators', insanity, and miscellaneous probate
court fees, and fees of sheriff's and state's attorneys, 1849-65, showing
names of estate, judge, guardian, and conservator, term date, type and amount
of fees, and court costs. Also contains Adndnistrators • and Executors' Fee
Book, 1849-81, entry 196, Arr. by date of payment. 1849-57, no index;
1856 — , indexed alph, by name of estato, 1849-57, hdw.; 1858—, hdw. under
pr. hdgs. 300 - 350 p. 15 x 10 x 2 - 18 x 12 x 2. 2 v. not labeled, v. A-E,
1849-1910, CO, clk.'s vlt,, 1st fl.; v. 1-3, 1911—, co. clk.'s off., 2nd
fl.
194. GUARDIATiS' FEE BOOK, 1866-75. 1 v.
Register of guardians' fees, shov/inc names of v^ird, guardian, judge, and
clerk, term date, type and amount of fees, and date of payment, Arr. by
date of payment. No index. Hdw, under pr. hd^rs. 300 p. 16 x 12 x 2, Co,
clk.'s vlt,, lot fl.
For other guardians' foes, see entry IDS.
195. FEE BOOK IlJSAIffi AlID CONSERVATOR, 1387-1909. 1 v. (l).
Register of insanity and conservators' fees, showing names of insane person,
conservator, attorney, judge, and clerk, term date, amount and type of fee,
and date of payment, Arr, by date of payment. Indexed alph. by name of
insane person. Hdw. under pr, hdgs, 300 p, 13 x 12 x 2. Co. clk.'s off,,
2nd fl.
For other insanity and oonscri'ators' fc^s, see entry 193,
196. ADKIIJISTRATORS ' AND EXECUTORS' FEE BOOK, 1882 — . 7 v, (B-H),
1849-81 in Guardians', Conservators', and 1-iscellaneous Fee
Book, entry 193.
Register of administrators' and executors' fees, showing names of estate,
judge, clork, adTniidctrator, and executor, term date, type and amount of
fees, and court costs. Arr. by date of pajnnont. Indexed alph, by name of
estate. Hdw, under pr, hdgs. 350 p, 18 x"^ 12 x 2-^. V, B-E, 1382-1911,
CO, oik, '6 vlt,, 1st fl,; V, F-II, 1912—, co, clkl's off,, 2nd fl.
^wex-c enxry lyy, p. iuuj
VI. CIRCUIT COURT
The circuit court has original jurisdiction of all causes in law and
equity and acts as a court of appeals in probate matters and causes cogni-
sable by the county court and justices of the peace,^ In addition, it is
one of the courts capy.ble of having naturalization jurisdiction according
to Federal statutes, ^
The circuit court was held in Piatt County by justices of the Supreme
Court, "5 from 1841 to 1849, when a change was made in accordance vdth the
second constitution which provided for the election of circuit judges by
the district electorate,^ The Constitution of 1870 altered the circuit
districts and established populs'.tion requirements for counties that may
comprise a circuit,^ From 1849 to the present the circuit judges have been
elected officers of the judicial district electorate. The sixth circuit
is made up of six counties, one of which is Piatt, ^
Three circuit judges who serve for six-year terms are oloctod for the
district. Before entering upon the duties of his office, each circuit
judge is required to subscribe to an oath which ho files r.dth the Secretary
of State, 7 The salary for those circuit couTt judges elected after the
first Monday of June, 1933, was set at |7,200, and for those elected after
the first Monday of June, 1939, the amount was increased to $8,000, The
salaries are paid from the state treasury,"
1, Constitution of 1870, Art, VI, sec. 12; L, 1871-72 , p, 109; R,S,1874 ,
p. 344; L,1895 , p, 189; L,1933 , p. 688; L,1935 , p. 1,
2, 2 U.S.S.L. 155; U.S»R.S. 1789-1874 , p, 378-80; 34 U.S.S.L. 596;
37 U.S.S.L, 737; 44 U.S.S.L. 709, Circuit courts still retain natural-
ization jurisdiction, but do not exercise it where United States
District Courts are convenient,
3, L,1841 , p, 175; R,S,1845 , p, 145,
4, Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 7, 15,
5, Constitution of 1870, Art, VI, sec, 13,
6^ L,1933 , p, 436,
7, Constitution of 1870, Art. VI, sec. 12; L,1955 , p. 436,
8, L,1933 , p, 621; L,1937 , p, 189, 605, In 1835 the salary of the
circuit judge was $750 per ajinum ( L.1835 , p, 167), The Constitution
of 1870 set the salary at $3,000 until othervnse provided by law
(Art, VI, sec, 16). A few of the other changes were: from 1919 to
1925 for judges elected during this period, $G,500; for the period
1925 to 1933, those elected received $8,000 per year ( 1^1519 , p, 553,
554; L,1925 , p. 400; L,1931 , p, 148).
- 155 -
- 156 -
Circuit Court
The hearings on several of the election contests are held before this
covirt. Jurisdiction is granted to the court to hear and determine contests
on the election of judg-es of the Suprcrae Court, Judges of the circuit court,
and ncmbers of the State Board of Equalization; but no judge of the circuit
court is allovred to sit upon the hearing of any cace in v/hich he is a partj',-'-
The circuit court also hears and detemines the election contests of some
of the local and county officers. These include contects of judge of the
county court, nayors of cities, president of the county board, presidents
of villages, elections in reference to renoval of county seats and in refer-
ence to any other subject v/hich may be submitted to the vote of the people
of the county. The circuit court has concurrent jurisdiction with the
county court in cases of contested elections under the latter* s jurisdiction.^
Included under the jurisdiction of the circuit court are also appeals
from the Illinois Comnerce Cormission' s rules, regulations, orders, or de-
cisions. Such appeals ruay bo taken to the circuit court serving Piatt
County v/hen the subject matter of the hearinij. is situated in this county.
The appeal nay be heard for the purpose of having the reasonableness or
law-fulness of the rule, regulation, order, or decision inquired into and
deteminod,'^
To expedite the handling of litigation, «i branch circuit court may
be held at the same time that the main or regular circuit court for Piatt
County is in session, A branch court is held by any circuit judge in this
circuit or by a judge of any other circuit called in for the purpose of
hearing and deciding motions and settling the issues in any or all causes
pending in the circuit court, and for the purpose of hearing chancery causes
and cases at lay -rhich are pending in such court for that term. The pre-
siding judge of the main circuit court assigns to th- branch court as many
of the law and chancery cases as the presiding judge of the branch court
Trill possibly have time to hear,-
Also, to aid in the speedy administration of justice, the judges, cr a
majority of them, may by an order entered of record in the office of the
clerk of the circuit court, dispense with either or both the grand and petit
juries for any terra or part cf ter:n of the circuit court, and may designate
what term or portion thereof shall be devoted to criminal business, and what
tem or portion thereof to civil business, •-'
Each of the three judges of the circuit court is authorized to appoint
one official shorthand reporter. This appointee is required to be skilled
1, L.ie99 , p. 152.
2, L. 1371-72 , p. 396; L.1895 , p. 170.
5. L.l£21 , p, 742,743,
4. L. 1873-74 , p, 82, Co; L.1905 , p, 14G.
5. L.183C., p. 167,168; L.1933, p. 441,442.
- 157 -
Circuit Court
in verbatim reporting and is not allowed to hold more than one such official
appointment. The appointment is in v/riting and is required to be filed in
the office of the auditor of public accounts. The reporter holds office
lontil his appointment is revoked by the appointing judge or until the termi-
nation of the judge 's torn. W.en the official reporter is absent or dis-
abled, the presiding judge may appoint any other competent reporter to act
during such absence or disability. The substitute is paid for his services
by the official reporter. The reporter causes full stenographic notes of
the evidence in all trials before the court to be taken down and transcript
of the same to be correctly made if desired by either party to the suit,
their attorneys, or the judge of the court. Each of the reporters receives
and is paid out of the state treasury an annual salary of $3,240. The
salaries arc paid out monthly on the warrant of the auditor of public ac-
counts. ■'•
The probation officer for adult probationers is an appointee of the
circuit court. 2 His ser\T.ccs extend throughout the county. Courts exercis-
ing criminal or quasi-criminal jurisdiction are given power to release on
probation adult or juvenil': offenders found guilty of committing certain
specified offenses.'^ In the performance of his proscribed duties, the pro-
bation officer principally serves the county and circuit courts. He is
required to give bond as determined by the circuit court in a sum not ex-
ceeding $5,000 and is subject to the rules of and removal by the appointing
court. ^ Piatt County has one probation officer under tho law of 1915 pro-
viding for one such officer for each fifty thousand, or fraction thereof,
of population.*^
The probation officer is compensated at a rate determined by the county
board. In the performance of his duties, he is required to investigate the
cases of defendants requesting probation; notif2/ the court of previous con-
viction or probation; make reports to the respective courts; keep a sot of
records as described below; take charge of, and watch over, all persons
placed on probation in his county, and all probationers moving from another
county into his county. He is also required to notify probation officers
in other coxinties of any probationers under his supervision who may move in-
to those counties.
The reports mado by tho probation officer to tho courts aro kept by
the clerk in tho rospeotive cases. The courts' probation records include
orders granting or refusing release on probation, probationers' bonds, the
reports of probation officers noted above, and discharge of probationers.
1. L.1955, p. 463,464.
2. L.1911 , p. 280.
3. Ibid., p. 277.
4. Ibid., p. 280,231; L. 1915, p. 380,381.
5. L.1915 , p. 380. Cc?K~cl census to be basis for determining population.
6. L.1911, p. 281,232; L.l'..lf;, p. 581,302.
" 158 -
Circuit Court
The probation officer is required to keep complete accurate records
of investigated persons, the action of the court, and the subsequent his-
tory of probationers. Those are not public records but are open to in-
spection by any judge or any probation officer pursuant to a court order .^
Unlike the judt~03 of the circuit court viho are elected by the judicial
district electorate, the clerk of this court is elected by tho county electo-
rate«2 This official performs the ndnisterial duties of the oir»uit cwvurt
of Piatt County and files and ^oserros its records as well as those of the
branch circuit courts.^ II© is corardnsionod by tho GoTornor and before en-
tering upon the duties of his office, gives bond vath sureties vAiich are
approved by any two of the jud;;-es of the court. His bond is given in the
sun of not loss than $5,000 as agreed upon by the judges. The oath to v^liich
he subscribes is filed v/ith the Secretary of State,^ If a vacancy occurs in
this office and the unexpired term does not exceed one year, the co«rt is
required to fill such vacancy by appointp.ent of a clerk pro tempore. The
appointee is then required to qualify for offico in the sajne manner as the
regularly elected clerk of the cifouit court. T/hen the appointment is made,
the court notifies the Governor of the filled vacancy, Tho Governor in turn,
as soon as practicable, issuos a writ of election for tho circuit court clerk.
Tho clerk of tho circuit court vrc.s first appointed by the circuit judge
in Piatt County.G He kept a record of all tho oathe that he administered
and certified a copy annually to tho Secretary of State,''' The clerk pro-
sorved a complete record of all proceedings and determinations of tho court
of Y/hich ho was clcrk,^ At each tern of the circuit court, tho clerk in-
quired into tho condition and tho treatment of prisoners and was required to
SCO that all prisoners vreifo h»a.v:a<.-ly tror-tod.^ This authority was in later
years, and is at present, dolc^atou to tho circuit court, •^'-' One of the early
requisites of this offico vreis for tho clork of tho circuit court to reside
near tho county scat in order that he could attend to Iiis duties daily. In
the event that it vroro not possible for him to bo in daily attendance, the
presiding judge vm.s to fill such vacancy,^-*- Tho Constitution of 1848 made the
1, L.l^n, p. 277-84; L,1915, p. 378-84.
Z» Constitution of 1840, ArlT, V, sec. 7,21,29j Constitution of 1870, Art. X,
sec, 8.
.3. Lj|lD05, p. 147.
4. R.S'. 1B74 , p. 260,
5, L_.1^673-7_4, p. 95.
G, ConsTitution of 1818, Art. IV, sec. 6; R.L.1833, p. 152; R,S.1845, p. 146,
7. L.1319, p. 319,
8. TJ-.lViB^D* p, 44; R.L. 1853, p. 152; R.S.184 5, p. 147.
9. ]T7I".1'827, p. 240.'''
10, R.S. 1874 , p. 616; 1.1923, p. 424.
11. ir.L.1829, p. 35.
- 159 -
Circuit Court
clerk of the circuit court an elective officer of the county with a four-
year tenn. This arrangement has continued until the present. ■'■
The clerk is able to perform the several duties of his office with the
aid of his staff v;hich consists of assistants and deputy clerks who are
appointed by him in a niOT.ber determined by rule of the circuit court. ^
This order is entered as of record and the compensation of such assistants
and deputies is set by the couiity board, ^
Among tho records kept by the clerk for the circuit court are the
following!*
1. Books of record of the proceedings and judgments of
the court with alphabetical indexes by parties. Pro-
ceedings are recorded at length only in cases desig-
nated by law, or v;hcn the court at the motion and
assumption of expense by one of the parties, so orders.
In practice, from an early date the court record has
been broken do^vn into segregated types of proceedings
and judgments.
2. "Plaintiff-Defendant Index to Court Records" and
"Defendant-Plaintiff Index to Court Records," intended
to bo separate records, but frequently combined in a
single volume with the tv/o indexes segregated in each
volume.
3. A general docket in which all suits are entered in the
order they are commenced.
4. A judgment and execution docket containing a colisnn for
the entry of satisfaction or other disposition. In prac-
tice, an execution docket is frequently set up independently.
5. Additional dockets, designated as the clerk's, judge's, and
bar docket. In practice, the bar docket has tended to drop
out of use.
6. A fee book in which costs and fees are to be entered under
tho proper title of tho case. In practice, separate series
of volumes are maintained under such titles of causes.
1. Constitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 29; Constitution of 1870, Art. X,
sec. 9,
2. 1.1851, p. 49; Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 9.
3. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 9.
4. The Civil Practice Act of 1933 grants authority to the circuit court,
subject to rules promulgated by the Supreme Court and not inconsistent
with statutory requirements, to make such rules as they may deem ex-
pedient, regulating dockets and calendars of said court ( L.1935 , p.
786).
- 160 - (197, 198)
Circiiit Cov.rt - ProceGdin^s
of Court
7. Trriiscripts of |>roccedi .'-s in appeals from justices',
city, aid. forci/^. courts, dockets thereof, ?nd tr^-iscripts
of judgments for liens, etc., from the foraer. Sepnrr.te
woll-bouiid "boohs "jc roouirod to "O'^. kopt for each city
court. These "ooo-cs arc to cont.ir. rn rlphaboticpl docket
of pj.1 judgment docrcos rondorod in the city court. They
pI so provide for ontrj- of d?.t^. ^clc•.ti■^^; to the filing of
the trpjiscript v.dth the corrcspor.:'.!:- -^ ru-nbcr of the trrji-
script.l
3. Ncturr.liKP.tion proceedin.-r. from rjctitions to finrJ. certifi-
cr.tes; Federal str-tutcs -dlow th^^ circuit co-ai*t to exorcise
jurisdiction,
9, Reports to the com-t frora it-.-. dosi_^r.tcd nastcrs in chaiiccry,
tlie state's attorney, r-nd the coroner's inquost juries.
10. Jui'y venires, su:anonses, certific?.tcs, etc.
11. Ori:.,inal documents used in court hoarinfis ?nd dcterninsr-
tions. Thcs-:; doc-ojncnts ai-c of prTticcJ.':>r importance ho-
cause in a Irrgo number of c.-^sss the ccrjpletc proceedings
a;.''e not spread on coui-t record.
12. liontloly ronorts of the v/'urder. of the cou:ity jail, contain-
ing a list of all prisoners in his custod;;.", shovrin.- causes
of commitnont and names of p. rsons by v;ho.-n coircnitted.S
Proceedings of Court
197. CH^tTGZRY .AlID COICIOII LAW, 1841—. 297 f.o. (1-297).
Clifncery rad common lav.' case papers, including replevins, assiirjjsits, ap-
peals, confessions, hills for conveyance, scprJato r.?intonancc, and di-
vorce, trrnscripts, foreclosures, notions for n^w trial, ncchrr.ics' liens,
hills to set aside deed or villa, garnishees, hills to auict title, disso-
lution of po;.'tnership, hills for injunction, ccr.Tplaints, petitions for
dower rnd honestead rights, and hills for relief; al-'O contains naturali-
zation papers for 1903. Arr. hy date of docuiiont. For indcs, see entry
198. 17a-!:ure of recording varies. 10 :c 4 x K. Cir. d'c^'s vlt., 2-nd fl.
198. IITDSX TO COURT FILZS, 1841--. 1 v.
Index to Chrncery and Conuon Law, entry 197, shovdn.i: nrsmes of plaintiff
end defcndaiit, title of co^sc, and docuncnt and file box numbers, Arr. alph.
by name oi plaintiff. Hdv. under or. hC.gs, 500 p, 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. cllr.'s
vlt., 2:ic: fl.
1. -1.S.1874 , p. 347; L.1901, -o, 135, lc7.
2. R.L.1827 , 0, 217; R.S.18-:5 , p, 523-25,414,418,419,518; L.1865 , p. 79,
80; ::.S.1374 , p. 262,263,359.615; L.1S95 , n. 217; L.1953 . p, 442,577;
2 U.S.S.L. 153-55; U.S.?.. 3.1739-1074 , 13. 376-80; 34 U.S.3.L. 596-607,
709,710; 45 U.S.S.L. 1-14,1, 13.
- 161 -
Circuit Court - Proceeding (199-204)
of court
199. EXSCUTIO!JS (Comr.on Law), 1859—. 3 f.b. (1859-1921); 1 f.d.
(1900—),
Original executions in common law cases, showinf; date and number of execu-
tion, names of defendant, sheriff, clerk, and plaintiff's attorney, volume
and page of fee book and record, amounts of jude;nient, fines, costs, and
sheriff's fees, and date of return. Arr. alph* by name of defendant. No
index. Hdw. on pr. fn. F.b. 10 x 5 x 14; f.d. 20 x 18 x 24. Cir. clk.'s
vlt., 2nd fl.
200. INDEX TO COURT RECORDS, PLAINTIFF - DEFENDMT, 1858—. 6 v. (A, 1,
2, plaintiff; A, 1, 2, defendant).
Index to Common Law (Kecord), entry 201; Chancery Record, entry 203; and
Criminal Record, entry 210, showing case number, names of plaintiff and
defendant, kind of action, book and page of entry, and date of commencement
and disposal of case. Arr. alph. by names of plaintiff and defendant. Hdw.
under pr. hdgs. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
201. COIiWON LAV/ (Record), 1841—. 24 v. (a-T, 7/, 28, 30, 33). Title
varies: Circuit Court Record, 20 v., 1841-1911.
Record of proceedings in common law cases, including orders for executions
of judgments, shovdng names of plaintiff, defendant, and attorneys, kind of
action, date of proceedings, and decrees and orders of court. Also coniai
Chancery Record, 1841-93, entry 203; Criminal Record, 1841-88, entry 210;
Naturalization Record, 1885-1910, entry 246; Naturalization Record Final,
1881-1910, entry 247; and Naturalization Record Iviinors and Soldiers, 1381
1906, entry 248. Arr. by date of proceedings. 1841-57, indexed alph. by
names of plaintiff and defendant; for sep. index, 1858--, see entry 200.
Hdw. 300 p. 18 X 12 X 3, Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
ms
202. • CO!IFESSION RECORD AND FEE BOOK, 1891—. 6 v. (1-6).
Record of judgment by confession in vacation time, showing names of parties,
date and term of court, action, and judgm.ent of case. Arr. by date of judg-
ment. Indexed alph. by nar.e of defendant. Hdw. on pr. fm. 600 p. 18 x 12
X 3. Cir. clk.'s'vlt., 2nd f 1 .
203. CHANCERY RECORD, 1894—. 9 v. (U, V, X-Z, 27, 29, 31, 32). 1841-
93 in Common Law (Record), entry 201.
Record of chancery cases, including divorces, shov/ing names of parties and
attorneys, date and kind of action, and decrees and orders of the court*
Arr. by date of case. Indexed alph. by names of plaintiff and defendant;
for sep, index, see entry 200. 1894-1930, hdw.; 1931—, typed. 300 p,
18 X 12 X 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
204. DECREE RECORD, 1913—. 7 v. (1-7),
Record of court decrees on divorces, foreclosures, deeds, trustee appoint-
ments with approval of trusteei? report, and partition suits. Arr, by
date of proceedings. Indexed alph. by names of plaintiff and defendant.
Typed. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
For prior record of decrees, see entries 201, 203, 210,
- 162 -
Circuit Court - Proceedings (205-211)
of Court
205. laSCELIJinilOUS PAPERS, 1847-1925, 1 f.b,
MisccllancouG papers relative to coinmon lavr and criminal cases, inolx^ding
bonds, appeals from justice of the peace courts, justices of the peace summoJTos,
and injunctions, Arr, by date of document. No index. Nature of recording
varies, 10 x 4 x 14, Gir, clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
For other case papers, sec entries 197, 209,
206. PENSIONS AND IHGAL PAPEP^, 1849-1912. 1 f.b.
File of miscellaneous papers that were never filed properly, including pen-
sion certificates, 1881-1907; contracts for grading race track, 1876-97;
instructions to jury, 1880; indictments, 1878-97; executions, 1849-1912; bonds,
1874-81; old letters, 1904-7; a?id a fov/- corunon lav; and criminal case papers,
1855-97, No obvious arr. No index, fidw, and hdw, on pr, fm, 10 x 4 x 14,
Cir. clk.'s vlt,, 2nd fl,
207. OLD CASES, 1845-80, 6 f,b.
Files of original documents in comjnon law and criminal cases, including papers
similar to common law case papers in Chancery and Common Lav:, entry 197, and
criminal case papers in Criminal (Files), entry 209, No obvious arr. No
index, Hdw, on pr, fm, 10 x 5 x 14, Cir, die's vlt,, 2nd fl,
208. P^fflCUTION ORDER, 1888-1920, 1 v.
Orders to circuit clerk to issue executions, r.howing name of county, names of
plaintiff, defendant, and attornoyp, and dates of order and execution, Arr,
by date of order. Indexed alph. by name of defendant. Hdvr, on pr, fm,
600 p, 18 X 12 X 3o Cir. clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
For subsequent orders, see entry 201,
209. CRIMINAL (Files), 1841—, 52 f.b.
Original papers filed in criminal cases, including praecipes for execution,
executions, v;-ithcsc affidavits, habeas corpus writs, complaints before jus-
tices, warrants for arrest, bail bonds, indictments, depositions of evi-
dence, instruction to jury, jury verdicts, and orders of court. Also con-
tains Foreign Witnesses (Claims and Receipts), 1841-74, 1916 — , oiitry 232.
Ai-r, alph, by nam.e of defendant. No index, Hdw,, hdw. on pr, fm., typed;
and typed on pr. fm, 10 x E x 14. Cir, clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
210. CRIMINAL RECORD, 1889—, 5 v. (l-5). 1841-88 in Common Law
(Record),/ entry 201,
Record of criminal cases in circuit court, including bail bond records, show-
ing names of parties and attorneys, kind of action, decrees and court orders,
and dates, Arr, by date of case. Indexed alph, by name of defendant; for
Sep, index, see entry 200. 1889-1916, hdw,; 1917-26, hdw, and typed; 1927—,
typed. 300 p. 18 x 12 x S, Cir, clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
211. INDICTLENT RECORD, 1874-1904, 1 v.
Record of circuit court indictments, shovdng nature of case, names of parties,
state's attorney, witnesses, and foremen of the jury, and term date of court,
Arr, by date of indictment. Indexed alph, by name of defendant, Hdw. on
pr, fm, 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir, clk.-s vlt,, 2nd fl.
For subsequent indictment papers, see entry 209,
- 163 -
Circuit Court - Transcripts; (212-218)
Dockets
Transcripts
(See also ontry 241)
212. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, 1895—. 1 f.b.
Transcripts from justice of the peace courts to circuit court, including
petitions, complaints, bonds, confessions in vacation, and judgments. Arr.
by date of transcript. ?To index. Nature of recording varies. 10 x 4 x 14.
Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
213. TRAIISCRIPT RECOKD, 1861—. 4 v. (A-D).
Transcripts of judgment from foreign and justice courts, showing dates,
names of attorneys, plaintiff, defendant, and officers of court, kind of
action, petitions, testimonies, £.nd court orders and decrees. Arr. by
date of transcript. Indexed alph. by nano of defendant. 1861-1925, hdw. ;
1926—, typed. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir, clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
Dockets
214, GENERAL DOCKET, 1874—. 5 v. (A, 1-4). L^issing: 1877-85.
Docket of circuit court cases, shov,ring term date, case number, names of
plaintiff, defendant, and attornej^s, t^^pe of action, and disposition of
case. Arr. by term date. Indexed alph. by name of plaintiff. Hdw. under
pr. hdgs. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl,
215, LAW DOCKET, 1908—. 2 v. (4, 5). 1858-1?07 in Clerk's Docket,
entry 218.
Clerk's docket of comr.on law cases, showing case number, term of court,
names of plaintiff, defendant, and attorneys, nature of cause, and orders
of the court. Arr. by case no. No index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 700 p,
14 X 12 X 5. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
216, CHANCERY DOCKET, 1908—, 3 v. (4-6). 1858-1907 in Clerk's
Docket, entry 218,
Clerk's docket of chancery cases, showing date, number of case, term, of
court, nam.es of plaintiff, defendant, and attorneys, type of action, and
orders of the court, Arr. by date of ca:;e. No index. Hdw. under pr,
hdgs. 700 p. 14 X 12 x 5. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
217, CRIMINAL DOCKET, 1908--. 2 v. (4, 5). 1858-1907 in Clerk's
Docket, entry 218,
Clerk's docket of criminal cases, showing case number, date, term of court,
names of defendant and attorneys, type of action, and orders of t)ie court,
Arr. by case no. No index. Hdv,'. under pr, hdgs, 700 p. 14 x 12 x 5,
Cir, clk,'s vlt., 2nd fl,
218, CLERK'S DOCKET, 1868-1907. 22 v.
Docket of criminal, comjnon law, and chancery cases, showing date of court
term, case number, nam.es of plaintiff, defendant, judge, and attorneys,
type of action, and abstract of proceedings. Lav;- Docket, entry 215;
Chancery Docket, entry 216; and Criminal pocket, entry 217, subsequently
kept separately. Arr. by date of case. No index. Hdw, under pr. hdgs,
300 p, 14 X 9 X 2. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
- 154 -
Circuit Court - Dockets (219-225)
219. BiASTER-IN-CILiJICERY DOCKET, 1884--. 3 v. (2 not numbered, 3).
Docket of master-in-chancery cases, showing kind of suit, nanes and ad-
dresses of plaintiff and defendant, names of attorneys, legal description
of real estate, statements of posting notices, reports, ajid certificate
of purchase fees. Arr. "by date of case. Indexed alph. by name of plain-
tiff. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 200 p. 18 x 12 x 2. Cir. clk.'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
220. JUDGi-ENT ASD EXSC^JTION DOCKET, 1875—. 9 v. (D-L).
Judgment and execution docket shov/ing ca'.?e number, nai-ies of parties, kind
of action, nature of judgn:ent, decree, costs, dates of execution issues
and returns, and sheriff's returns and satisfaction. Judgment Docket,
entry 221, and Execution Docket, entry 222, formerly kept separately. Arr.
alph. by name of party against '■•hon judgment is entered. No index. Hdw.
on pr. fm. 400 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. cik.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
221. JUDGLSITT DOCKET, 1841-74. 5 v. (A-C). 1S''5— in Judgment and
Execution Docket, entry 220.
Docket of jiidgments in circuit ccurt, showing names of parties, date, kind
of action, debt, damages and costs, volume and n^ge of ccort record, and
general remarks. Arr. alph. by nnme of party against T;hom judgment is
entered. No index. Hdw. 400 p. 18 x 12 y 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
222. EXECUTION DOCKET, 1841-74. 4 v. (l-4). 1875— in Judgment and
Execution Docket, entry 220.
Execution docket showing number of case, names of parties, date of execu-
tion, amount of daciiges, costs, volume and page of fee books, and date of
sheriff's refrom. Arr. by date of execution. Indexed alph. by name of
defendant. Hdw. on pr. fn. 400 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
223. DOCKET OF LIENS, 1887—. 1 v. (l).
Lien docket showing name of person filing lien, date of filing, person
against 7/hom lien is filed, amO'Ont and nature of claim, description of
property charged with lien, and acknowledgment of satisfaction; also con-
tains liens on gets, 1902. Arr. by date of filing. Indexed alph. by
name of defendant. Kdw. under pr. hdgs. 150 p, 18 x 12 x 2. Cir.
elk. 's vlt., 2nd fl.
224. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DOCKET, 1869-1920. 2 v. Missing: 1874-
1911.
Docket of cases before the various justices in the county, showing date,
action, amount of fine and costs, and names of parties, Arr. by date of
case. No index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 400 p. 14 x 10 x 2. Cir. clk.'s
vlt., 2nd fl.
225. JUDGES' DOCKET, 1859-1906. 12 v.
Docket of circuit court cases, including probation, shoving number of
case, names of attorneys for each party, -oarties involved, kind of action,
and order of court; also serves as a naturalization docket. Arr. by date
of ccise. No index. Kdw. under pr. hdgs. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk.'s
vlt., 2nd fl.
226. BAR DOCKET, 1849-75. 7 v.
Bar docket of circuit court casos, showing names of parties and attorneys,
?iid nature of the case. Arr. by date of case. No index. Hdw. under pr.
hdgs. 400 p. 14 X 10 x 2. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
- 165 -
Circuit Court - Fee Books (227-232)
227, CRIMINAL DOCKET (Court), 1869-71. 1 v. 1853-68 in Court Docket,
entry 228,
Docket of people's cases triod in circuit court, showing term date, case
nvmiber, names of parties and attorneys, kind of action, and orders of the
court, Arr, by caso no. Ho index, Edvr, under pr, hdgs, 300 p, 18 x 12
X 1 l/2. Cir, clk,'s vlt., 2nd fl.
For subsequent docket notations, see entries 218, 225,
228, COURT DOCKET, 1853-72, 5 v.
Court docket of coiruTion law, criniina]^ and chancery cases, shovdng case
number, names of plaintiff, defendant, and attorneys, tj'pe of action, orders
of the court, and date, /ilso contains Criminal Docket .(Ccurt)^ '1355-68,
entry 227, Arr. by caso no. No index, Hdv/, under pr, hdgs, 320 p,'
18 X 12 X 3, Cir. clk,'s vlt., 2nd fl.
For subsequent docket notations, see entries 218, 225,
Foe Books
229. FEE BOOK (Common Law and Chancei-y), 1911—, 5 v, (R, T, V-X),
1852-1910 in Foe Book, entry 231,
Register of fees roccived in civil and chancery cases, showing date of
court term, nature and number of case, names of plaintiff or complainant
and defendant, amount of sheriff's and clerk's fees, and total amount of
fees taxed and collected, Arr, by case no. Indexed alph, by names of
plaintiff and defendant, Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 600 p, 18 x 12 x 3, Cir,
clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl,
230, CRimilAL FES BOOK, 1911—, 2 v, (S, U), 1852-1910 in Fee Book,
entry 231,
Register of fees received in criminal cases, shov/ing case nuiaber, date of
court term, name of defendant, nature of charge, amount of clerk's and^
sheriff's fees, and total amount of fees received. Arr. by case no. in-
dexed alph, by name of defendant. Mdw, under pr. hdgs. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 5,
Cir. elk. 's vlt,, 2nd fl.
231. FEE BOOK, 1852-1910, 14 v, (C-H, J-Q), I/dssing: 1868-72,
Register of fees received in crindnal, civil, and chancery cases, shov.-ing
names of plaintiff and defendant, date of court term, kind of action,
and total amount of fees received. Subsequent to 1910, Fee Book (Common
Law and Chancery), entry 229, and Criminal Fee Book, entry 230, kept
separately, Arr. by case no. Indexed alph. by narrios of plaintiff and de-
fendant, Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 600 p, 18 x 12 x 3, Cir, clk,'s vlt.,
2nd fl,
232, FOREIGN mTlTESSSS (Claims and Receipts), 1875-1915, 1 f,b, 1841-
74, 1916— in Criminal (Files), entry 209,
Files of claims of foreign witnesses and rocoipts for mtness fees, shov/-
ing names of witness, judge, and defendant, t^-po of case, number of days
of service and mileage, and date and ajnount of payment. Ho obvious arr,
Ko index. Hdw. on pr. fm, 10 x 5 x 14, Cir, clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
- 166 -
Circuit Court - Reports (233-239)
to Court; Jury Records
Reports to Court
233, STATE'S ATTORNEY'S REPORTS, 1924--. 1 f.b. 1899-1923 in Ifesteiv.
in-Chancery and State's Attorney's Reports, entry 235,
Reports of state's attornoy to circuit court of fines and fees collected,
shov;ing name of state's attorney, date, sourco and amount of fine and fees,
total CTiiount collected, and money on hand, Arr, by date of filing. No
index, Tj-ped, and tyi^ed on pr, fn, 10 x 4 x 14, Cir, elk, 's vlt,, 2nd fl,
234, ?.iASTER-IN-CH.'UJCERY REPORT, 1924—, 2 f ,b. 1899-1923 in L'-aster-in-
Chancery and State's Attorney's Reports, entry 235,
Master's reports to the circuit Judf',e on foreclosures and receivers, duplicate
vouchors, and master's receipts, Arr, by date of report. No index. Typed,
10 X 4 X 14, Cir, clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl,
235, FASTER-IN-CHjilTOERY JJ'D STATE'S ATTORNEY'S REPORTS, 1899-1923, 3
f.b.
Master's reports to the circuit judg-e on foreclosures, duplicate vouchers,
and report of receiver's foes and fines rocoivcd by state's attoi'ney.
Subsequently kept separately as State's Attorney's Reports, ontry 233, and
iviastcr-in-Chancory Report, entry 234, Arr, by date of report, I'^o index,
TjTpcd, and typed en pr, fir., 10 x 4 x 14, Cir, clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl,
236, STATE'S ATTORNEY'S REPORTS TO CIRCUIT CLERK, 1874—, 1 v.
Copies of reports of fees, fines, and forfeitures collected by the state's
attorney, showing number of case, name of defendant, name of court, cause
of conviction, amounts of fine and fees, and court orders, iu*r, by dato of
report. Indexed alph, by namo of state's attorney. Hdw, on pr, fm,
300 p, 18 X 12 X 2, Cir, clk,'s vlt,, 2nd fl,
237, PJ;PORTS ON COUNTY JAIL, 1878—. 1 f,b.
Reports made by the grand jury or a coinjaitteo of the grand jury to the
circuit judge concerning the condition of the county jail, vdth their
recommendations to tlie board of supervisors, Arr, by date of report.
No index. Hdw. and typed. 10 x 4 x 14, Cir, clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl,
238, TRUSTEES' AND LIASTERS' REPORT, 1928—, 2 v, (5, 8), 1889-1927
in liliscollaneous Record, entry 90,
Reports of foreclosures and partitions, reports by trustees, and masters'
reports of sale, showing information regarding estate, legal description
of property, orders of tho court, and dato of filing, Arr, by date of re-
port. Indexed alph. by names of plaintiff and defendant. 600 p. 18 x 12
T 3. Cir. clk.'s vlt.*, 2nd fl.
Jury Records
(See also entries 26, 259)
239, VETiilRES, 1884—, 2 f.b.
Grand and petit jury venires showing names of jurors and dato of court torm^
Arr, by date of term. No index, Hdw. on pr, fln, 10 x 4 x 14. Cir. clk.'s
off., 2nd fl.
- 167 -
Circuit Court - Bonds; • (240-245)
Parolo
240. JURY V/ATiRilin' STUBS, 1875--. 10 v.
Stubs of jury wc.rrants issued, showing nunbor of warrant, tern date of
court, nanc of payee, days of service, mileage, total amount of fees, and
signature of payee. Arr. by date, of vrurrant. No indix. ITdw. on pr. fm.
250 p. 18 X 12 X 1. 8 v., 1873-1928, cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.j 2 v.,
192S~, cir, clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
241, NON-TRUE BILL, 1923—. 1 f.b.
Grand jurors' return of no bill after consideration of case, petitions for
release, petitions for writ of habeas corpus, and transcripts from justice
of the peace courts. Arr. by date of bill. No index. Nature of record-
ing varies, 10 x 4 x 14. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
B ond s
(See also entries 205,206,209,210,212)
242. BONDS, 1892 — . 4 f.b.
Capias, official, recognizance, and appeal bonds, bonds of receiver, and
injunction, attachment, and replevin bonds; also receipts for delivering
prisoners to the penitentiary. Arr. by date of bond. No index, Hdw. and
typed on pr. fn. 10 x 4 x 14. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
243. RECOGNIZANCE RECORD, 1923 — . 1 v. (1).
Record of recognizance bonds in probation cases in open court, showing names
of defendant, state's attorney, sureties, circuit clerk, sheriff, and judge,
omoiont of recognizance, charge, condition of recognizance, and term date of
court. Arr. by date of bond. Indexed alph. by name of defendf^Jit. Hdw, on
pr. fm. 214 p', 18 x 12 x 1. Cir. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
244. BAIL BOND RECORD, 1917-19. 1 v.
Record of bail bonds, s?iowing name of person bonded, nature of offense, date
and amount of bond, name of surety, or a schedule of property, and date of
appearance in court. Arr. by date of bond. Indexed alph. by name of surety.
Kdw. on pr, fn, 400 p. 18 x 12 x 3. Cir. clk,'s vlt., 2nd fl.
Parole
245. P.JtOLE RECORD, 1897-98. 1 v.
Copies of applications for parole, showing date and terra of sentence, crime
for which convicted, and nane of judge before whom plea is entered. Arr. by
date of application. Indexed alph, by name of person paroled. Hdv:. on pr,
fm. 600 p. 18 X 12 x 3. Cir, clk.'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
For subsequent docket entries of probation, see entry 225,
- 166 -
Circuit Court - Naturalization; (246-251).
Receipts and Sxpenditurds
Naturalization
(See also entriec SsCxkvJ, 128, 145-149, 197, 225)
?46. NATURALIZATION RECORD, 1853-84. 1 v. 1885-1910 in Coraon Law
(Record), entry 201.
Copies of declarations of intention t>jid final certificates of natxiralization,
shorring names of alien and circuit clerk, oath cf allegicJice, nativity, rJid
dates. Arr. by date of declaration. Indexed alph. by name of alien. Hdw.
on pr. fm. 4-iO p. 18 x 12 x 2. Cir, elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.
247. NATURALIZATION PJICORD FINAL, 1854-50. 1 v. 1881-1910 in Corjnon
Law (Record), t-^ntry PCI,
Copies of final certificates of naturalization, showing tern of court,
npjnes cf alien, judge, sheriff, clerk of the crurt, and witnesses, country
of fcrr.er r.llegirj-ico, final oath, rjid dp.te of certificate. Arr. by date of
final certificate. Indexed alph. by n.'-jno of alien. Hdir. on pr. fn. 600 p,
15 X 12 X 3. Cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.
248. NATURALIZATION RECORD MINORS .IMD SOLDIERS, 1870-80, 1 v, 1881-
1906 in Co::-jt5on Law (Record), entry 201,
Copies cf petition, final oath, ajid certificate of minors, showing da.tc,
nanes of judge, witnesses, sheriff, state's attorney, clerk of court, and
alien, years cf residence in the United States, nativity, oath of alle-
giance to the United States, final oath, a.nd dates. Arr. by date cf final
certificate. Indexed alph. by nene cf alien. Hdw. on pr. fn. 425 p.
13 X 12 X 3. Cir. elk. ' s vlt,, 2nd fl.
Receipts and Expenditiires
249, REGISTER OF FEES, 1875~. 3 v. Title varies: Cash Book, 2 v.,
1875-1917.
Ledger of circuit clerk's fee receipts and expenditures, including court
costs, and witness, filing, erA recording feer,, showing date, an>ount, and
poirpose of receipt cr expenditurp, and name of payer or recipient, Arr,
by date of transaction. No index, Kdw. ijinder tt , hdgs. 250 p, 18 x 12 x Ig-,
2 v., 1875-1917, cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl,; 1 v., 1918—, cir. elk, ' s off.,
2nd fl,
250, EARNINGS OF COURT COSTS, 1-335—, 4 v. Title varies: Receipts of
Court Costs, 2 v., 1885-1922.
Register of collecticns and disbursements of fees charged in circuit court
cases, showing case number, date, p.mount, and purpose of receipt or expend-
iture, name of payer or recipient, and book pjid page of entry in fee book,
Arr. by date of collection. No index. Kdw, under pr. hdgs, 300 p.
18 X 12 X 3, 2 v., 1885-1922, cir. elk. ' s vlt., 2nd fl.; 2 v., 1923—, cir.
elk, 's off., 2nd fl.
251, CANCELLED CHECKS, 1910—, 3 f,b.
Cancelled checks for refund fees, witness fees, attorneys' fees, publishers'
fees, alimony, clerk hire rJid salaries, office expense, treasurer's expense,
sheriff's expense, and miscellanocus expenditures, Arr, by date of check.
No index. Hdw, on jr, fn, 10 x 4 x 14, Cir, elk, ' s vlt,, 2nd fl.
(Next entry 252, p. I7O)
VII. SHERIFF
The sheriff, hy constitutional provision, has "been an elected offi-
cer in Piatt County from the organization of the county, in ISUl, to the
present. The term of his office, originally set at two years, ^ is now
four years. 5 In 1S20 it was provided, liy constitutional amendment, that
no -[^erson elected to the office of sheriff should te eligilile for re-
election to tha± office until fo'or years after the expiration of his
term of office. His "bond in this county is required in the sum of
$10,000 and must he approved "by the county judge.-' Memoranda of this
"bond are entered at large upon the records of thg county court, and the
"bond is filed in the office of the county clerk. 6 One or more deputies
are appointed hy the sheriff in accordance with the numher allowed hy
rule of the circuit court. Compensation of the deputies is determined
hy the county "board, 7 The sheriff is warden of the county jail and has
custody and regulation of the same and of all prisoners. 3 To assist
him in this administration, he appoints a superintendent of the county
jail for whose conduct he is responsi"ble, and whom he may remove at
pleasure. 9
Essentially without change for over one hundred years, the principal
duties of the sheriff are the following;
1. To act as conservator of the peace, with power to arrest
offenders on view.^*^
1. Constitution of ISIS, Art. Ill, sec. 11; Constitution of ISUS, Art.
VII, sec. 7; Constitution of . I87O, Art, X, sec. S; second amendment
Novem"ber 22, ISSO, to the Constitution of I87O, Art. X, sec. 8;
also L.lgl9 . p. 109,110; R. 3.187^ . v. 989.
2. Constitution of ISIS, Art. Ill, sec. 11; Constitution of ISUS, Art.
VII, sec. 7»
3. Constitution of IS70, Art. X, sec. 8.
U. I"bid. , as amended Novem'ber, 1880.
5. R.S.IS7U , p. 9S9. Cf. R.L.I827 . p. 371. prior to the organization
of the county court, the sheriff's "bond and securities were approved
"by the circuit court.
6. R.S.I8U5 . p. 51^ R.5.1S7^ . p. 929.
7. R.L.lg27 » p. 373; R.S.I8U5 . p. 515; 1.1869 , p. 399; Constitution of
IS70, Art. X, sec. 9.
8. L.I8I9 . p. 111,112; R.L.1827 , p. 2U7-5O; L.I83I . p. 103,10U,106;
R,L.1833 , p. 57^.5757 T7T8li3 . p. 8,10,19; R.S.I8U5 , p, 133,13^,515-17;
R.s,l87U . p. 616, 989-91; L.1901 . p. 137»13S; L.1923. p. i+23-26. The
citations also include references to duties not included in the
general outline noted ahove.
9. L.I923 . p. U23.
10. R.L.1827 . p. 372; R.s.igU5 . p. 515; R.S.IS7U , p. 990.
- 169 -
- 170 -
Sheriff - Process (252)
2. To attend, in person or by depiaty, all courts of record
(city, covjity, probate, circuit, and »,pT)ellate courts)
in his county, and to obey the orders and directions of
the courts. -
3. To serve, execute, and return all writs, 'iT/irrants, process,
orders, and decrees le,?ally directed to him. 2
4. To sell real or jersonal pro^ierty by virtue of execution or
other process.'^
5. To send fin/^emrintr of criminals to the State Bureau of
Criminal Identification and Investigation,^
In the course of the sheriff's many detailed duties Included in
these broad provisions, the follovinj: recora? may be kept but do not ap-
pear in Fiatt County:
1. Receipts of deliveries of prisoners in chrngas of venue. 5
2. Copies of reports to the ccanty court and circuit court. ^
5. Re-^orts of pawnbrokers on loans and articles pa^vned."^
4. Data of identification of criminals and stolen property. 8
The folloY;in<; records may be kept and do appear:
1. Register of prisoners.^
2. "Bock: of Accounts," including records of fees and
di sbur senents . 10
3. Docket of executions.
4. Process docket.
Process
252. SHIRIFF'S FKCCSSS DOCKET, 1850—. 11 v. (l not labeled, B, 1
not lab'jled, 2, 6-12). lassing: 1561-98,
Sheriff's process docket showing number of case, names of attorney,
plaintiff, and defendant, tj^^e of action, court of issue, dates of
receirjt, sem'-ice, and return, rheriff's fets, and remarks. Also con-
1. R.L.1827 , p. 372; R.S.1B45 . p. 515; R.S.1S74 , p, 990.
2. Ibid.
3. R.L.1327 , p. 334; L. 1838-59 , p. 14-18,30; 5.3.1845 , p. 302,305,307;
L.1B71-72 , TJ. 505,507; R.S.l^-i74 , n. 622,623,627-29.
4. L.1931 , p. 465.
5. R.S.1374 . p. 1G96.
6. Ibid., p. 617; L.1923 , p. 424; L.1933 . p. 678.
7. L.1909 . o. 301.
8. L.1951 . p. 465.
S. R.S.1874 , p. 617; L.1923 . p. 424.
IC. L. 1871-72 , p. 450,451; L. 1873-74 . v. 104,105.
- 171-
Sheriff - Jail Records; Fees, (253-257)
Receipts and Expenditures
tains Sheriff's Execution Docket, 1850-66, entry 253, Arr. by date of
process. 1850-81, no index; 1899 — , indexed alph. by name of defendant.
Hdw. under pr, hdgs. 150 - 500 p. 14 x 12 x 2 - 18 x 12 x 2^, I v. not
labeled, v, B, 1 not labeled, 2, 6-9, 1850-1922, sh.'s vlt., 2nd fl.; v,
10-12, 1923—, sh.'s priv. off,, 2nd fl,
253. SHERIFF'S EXECUTIVE DOCKET, 1867—. 6 v. (A, 1 not labeled, 2-5).
Hissing: 1871-98. 1850-66 in Sheriff's Process Docket, entry 252.
Docket of executions, showing number of case, title of cause, date of writ,
amount of damages and costs, sheriff's fees, amount of judgment, date of
return, and remarks, Arr, by date of execution. Indexed alph. by name of
defendant. Hdw on pr. fm. 150 p. 14 x 12 x 2. V, A, 1 not labeled, 2-4,
1867-1930, sh,'s vlt., 2nd fl»j v, 5, 1931—, sh.'s priv, off,, 2nd fl.
Jail Records
254, PRISON RECORD, 1069-1924. 2 v, (A, 1),
Register of prisoners, shov^'ing date of commitment, name, personal descrip-
tion, nativity, intelligence statistics, and occupation of prisoner,
offense, term of sentence, and note of physical or mental condition,
Arr. by date of conmiitment. I'^o index, Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 150 p,
18 x 12 X l-g-, Sh,'s vlt,, 2nd fl.
Fees, Receipts and Expenditures
255, raSCELLAJTEOUS COURT COSTS, 1914—, 1 v.
Register of miscellaneous fees due sheriff for service in court, showing
date, title of service, amount earned and recoivod, and name of sheriff »
Also contains Register of Fees, 1933 — , entry 256. Arr. by date of ser-
vice. No index. Hdw. under pr, hdgs. 125 p, 16 x 14 x 1. Sh.'s priv,
off., 2nd fl.
256, REGISTER OF FEES, 1872-1932. 5 v. (2 not numbered, 2, 3, 5).
Missing: 1915-23, Title varies: Receipts and Expenditures.
1933 — in Miscellaneous Court Costs, entry 255.
Sheriff's register of fees due for serving v/rits, showing date, title of
cause, kind of service, reference to book and page of slioriff's execution
and process dockets, mnountG of earnings and receipts, and nvmo of court.
Arr, by date of service. No index. R'dw, under pr. hdgs. 300 p.,
18 X 12 X 2.- 18 X 14 X 2. Sh.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
257, CASH RECORD, 1930—. 1 v.
Record of all cash receipts and disbursements, shov;ing date, title of
cause, service, book and pege of miscellaneous court costs, court fees,
total fees, and deposits, Arr, by date of receipt or expenditure. No
index. Hdw. under cr, hd-s. 400 p. IS x 12 x 2, Sh.'s priv. off,,
2nd fl.
(•Jest on try 258, p. 17o)
VIII. CCR013R
The coroner's office in Piatt County has cor.tinuod. in existcnco fron
the ori~£iii satioT. of the count;/, in 1541, to the present. ■'• The coroner is
elected "oy the coirity electorate for p. four-yoox terr/..^ After certific?-
tion of his election by the cointy clerk, filinfi of his bond, and talcing
Oath of office, ho receives his coEinission fror. the Governor. ^ The
coroner's "bond in this cointy is reqvlred in the sun of $5,000 and must
be c?.pprovod by the county judge. * Kio inqu-cst duties of this official
have ch£c.i;^ed little over a period of ncrc than a century. The coroaer acts
r.s a conservator of the peace v;ith powers oqurl to those of sheriff in this
respect e:id serves as a ninistcriil officer of the courts in the r.bscnce or
dii-;quoliiicatio:i of the sheriff; he pIto perforr's ell the other duties of
the latter \rlicn the office is v^cnt.5
The j.iost inport?nt function of the coroner is to hold inquests over
the bodies of persons supposed to have cor.e to their death by violence,
casu?lt7, or other undue neans. When notification of such death is re-
ceived, the coroner proceeds to the body, tritcs char,-:c of it, and su:.;-
raons a jv-ry corjposed of six nen fron the vicinity in which the bodj' was
found. E.1C jur;,' is instructed to assemble at a stated tiae rmd place, to
vie- the bocv and to inquire into the cause and uannor of the death. If
the i.iqv^st is continued and a vacsaicy should occur en the jury, the coro-
ner is allovrcd to fill such vacriicy.^
To the custody of the clerk of the circuit court are returned the
verdict of the jury, ?nd such recognizances as nay be given the coroner by
witnesses whose tcotinony i.'plicateo sny person as the xinlawful slayer of
the docepjjed.' In his own office, the coroner files pnd preserves the
1. Consti tuition of 1818, Art III, sec. 11; L.1849 , Second Sess., p. 7;
Constitution of 1870, Art. X, soc. 8.
2. Tlie office is constitutional sac. elective (Constitution of 1818, Art.
Ill, sec. 11; Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 8). The tenr., for-
nerly two yerjrs, is no\\r four yer-J's (second nncndnent, ITovember 22,
1880, to Constitution of 1370, Art. X, see. 8).
?, U.S. 1845 , p. 514; R.S. 1874 , p. 281.
4. H.0.1G74- , p. 281.
5. L.1G19 , p." 111,160; L.1821 , p. 20-23; L.1825 , o. 53,64; R.L.1827 ,
p. 2-io-56,372,373,375; U.S. 1345 , r>. 515,517; R.S. 1374 , p. 381,262.
6. L.1821, p. 22-24; R.S. 1845 . p. 517,518; R.S.lS7i , p. 283-84; 1.1879 ,
p. 02; L.1907 , p. aS; L.1919 , p. •i03,40:; L.1931 . p. 388,399.
7. L.1321, p. 24,25; R. 3.1843 , p. 518; R.3.1G74, p. 233.
- 172 -
~ 173 -
Coroner (258-260)
record of such testimony .l The coroner also keeps one record vriiich he
originates, the "inquest record." This record recapitulates all the
data involved in the entire inquest procedure and includes an inventory
and accounting of the personal property e.nd mono;/ of the deceased.^
Deputy coroners appointed by this official assist hira in the per-
fonriance of the duties of his office. The number of deputies is set by
rule of the circuit courfc^ and their compensation is determined by the
county board of supervisors* The bond or securities of these assistants
are taken by the coroner, and the oath to vhich each subscribes is filed
in the county clerk's office,
258. COROIIER'S INQUESTS, 1905—. 36 f.b.
Inquest papers shov/ing name, a(;e, sex, residence, and occupation of deceased
place and date of death, cause of death, names of vdtnesses and jurors, dis-
position of personal effects, coroner's verdict, and disposition of body,
Arr» alph, by nane of deceased, ¥.o index. Nat\'.re of recording varies,
6 X 5 X 12. Cor.'s off., Ist fl.
259. COROIIER (LliscellanGous Papers), 1912—. 1 f.b.
Miscellaneous papers in coroner's cases, including verdicts of coroner's
juries, mittimus, and vrritr. of habeas corpus. No obvious arr, i'lo index,
Hdw. on pr. fm, 10 x 4 x 14. Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd f 1 ,
260. COROrER'S RECORD, 1076—. 2 v, (A,B),
Record of coroner's inquests, shovn.ng nane, a;;-e, sex, residence, and occupa-
tion of deceased, place, date, and cause of death, nam.es of v/itnesses and
jurors, disposition of personal effects, coroner's verdict, and disposition
of body, 1876-1918, arr, by date of inquest; 1919—, arr. alph, by nam.e
of deceased, 1876-lQlG, indexed alph. by nam.e of deceased; 1919 — , no
index. Hdvr. on pr, fn. 600 p, 13 x 12 x 3, Cor,'3 off., 1st fl.
1, L,1859, p. 104, 105; R,S,1G74, p. 283; Lja_907, p. 213,214; L,1919,
p. 293,294.
2, L.1S21 , p, 25, 26; R.S.I 074, p, 283.
3, Constitution of 1870, i.'rt", X.'sec, 9j L.1831, p, 63,
(Ko::t entry 251, o. 176)
IX. STATE'S ATTOHI^SY
Ir. Piatt County, since its or^pxiization in 1841, the state's
attorney' lic'.s corarnonccd and prosocutcd in courts of record pXl actions
in which the people of the state or county wore concerned. 1 Legislation
enacted in 1835 r^-^ovidod that the state's attorney be appointed "by the
General Assonoly. ' Tnis provision rcnaincd effective until 1848, when
the state's attorney 'bccanc pn cloctivo officer of the circuit district
electorate. 3 At this tine; his soTricos also were e.xpmded to include
the newly created county com't. Finally, tho present constitution nadc
the office clec'-*" in and for each county.'^ Bond in the sum of $5,000
has been required since 1872. ^ Fron the creation of this office in the
state until the present, the state's attorney has continued to receive
his conmiission from the Governor for the tenure of his office. 6 in 1835
his tcra \ias set at two years.''' Then, in 1849, the state's attorney's
office "oecame elective by the district electorate for a four-year term,
the first tern, however, being only for three years end ending in 1852.°
In Piatt Coujity the state's attorney receiver, r:n annual salary of $2,000,
with an additional $400 paid by the state. Statutory fee rates are
allowed him for convictions on specified offenses and crimes before jus-
tices of the pea.ce, police raacistrates, co-ontj^ and circuit coioxts. Also,
rates c?re established for preliminary exaiuinations of defendants, for
attendance at trials, and for appeals. These several fees and rates
molce v:j a county fund from v;hich is paid his salary. 9
The d'o.ties of the state's attorney are the following:
1. To commence pnd. prosecute all actions, suits, indict-
ments, and prosecutions, civil md criminal, in any
court of record in his county in wMch the people of
the state or county mcy bo concerned.
2, To prosecute all forfeited bonds and recognizances
aaid nil actions a:^d proceedings for the recovery of
debts, revenues, moneys, fines, penalties, cxxo. for-
!• ^»L.1327 , 0. 79,80; L.1S35 , n . 44; R.S.1845 , p. 75; P.. S. 1874 , p. 173,
174,
2. L.1855 , p. 44.
3. Cons bit-o.tion of 1848, Art. V, sec. 21.
4. Constitution of 1870, Art. VI, sec. 2^^; R.S.1874 , p. 172.
5. L. 1871-72 , p. 189.
6. R. L.1855 , p. 98; L.1835 . p. 44; Constitution of 1343, Art. V, sec. 28;
Constitution of 1870, Art". VI, sec. 22; 5. S. 1874, X). 172.
7. L.1355, p. 44.
3. Cor.stitution of 1848, Art. V, sec. 21; Constitution of 1870, Art. VI,
sec. 22.
^' L. 1371-72 , p. 422; L. 1873-74 . t). 104,105; L.19Q9 . p. 231-33; L.1929 ,
p. 474-76; L.1937 , p. 607.
- 174 -
- 175
State's Attorney
feitures accruing to the state or his count;/-, or to
any school district in his county; also to prosecute
all suits in his county ar;ainst railroads or trans-
portation companies, v;hich may be prosecuted in the
name of the people of the State of Illinois,
3. To commence and prosecute all actions and proceed-
ings brought by any county officer in his official
capacity.
4. To defend all actions and proceedings brought against
his county or against any co\mty or state officer, in
his official capacity, in his county.
5. To attend tho ezamir^tion of all persons brought be-
fore any judge on habeas corpus -whon the prosecution
is in his county.
6. To attend before justices of the peace and prosecute
charges of felony or misdemeanor for which the offender
is required to be recognized and to appear before a
court of record v/hon it is Vfithin his poiver to do so.
7. To give his opinion vdthout fee or rev;ard, to any county
officer or justice of the peace in his county upon any
question of law relating to any criminal or other ms.tter
in which the people of the state or county may be concerned.
8. To assist the Attorney General whenever it may be necessary,
and in cases of appeal or vvrit of error from his county to
the Supreme Court, to v.-hich it is the duty of the Attorney
General to attend, he shall, a reasonable time before the
trial of such appeal or writ of error, furnish the At-
torney General v,dth a brief, showing tVie nature of the
case and the questions involved.
9. To pay all m.oneys received by him in trust, without delay,
to the officer ivho by lav; is entitled to their custody.
10. To perform such other and further duties as may from time
to tine be enjoined upon him hy lavr,
11. To appear in all proceedings by collectors of taxes
against delinquent taxpaj^-ers for judgment to sell real
estate, and to see that all the necessary prolininarj''
steps have been legally taken to make the judgment
legal and binding. ■'■
12. To enforce the collection of all fines, forfeitures,
and penalties im.posed or incurred in the courts of record
in his county; and to report to the circuit court on the
collection of these moneys. 2
1. R,S,1345 , p, 76; R,S.1874, p, 172-74,
2, L.190G, 'p. 406; L.1912, Third Sp. Sess,, p, 88; L,1929, p, 475.
- 176 -
State's Attorney (261)
For state's attorney's reports to circuit court, see entries,
233, 235, 235,
261. STA-ZS'S ATTORl^IEY'S HECORD, 1937—. 1 v. (l).
State's attorney's record of fines collected, showing date, name of
defendant, type of offense, in what court fined, disposition of case,
amo-unt of state's attorney's fees and covirt costs, and date of payment.
Arr, by date of payment. Indoxod alph, by name of defendant. Hdw.
under pr. hd^s, 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3. State's atty.'s off., 2nd fl.
(Next entry 262, p. 178)
X. SUPERVISOR OF ASSESSirENTS.
The countj^ supervisor of assessments, with the aid of the township
assessors in Piatt County, is responsible for the assessment of prop-
erty upon v^.ich the township, district, county, state, and other taxes
are levied. Principally, these officers annually revise the assessment
of property, correct the same upon complaint, and quadrennially assess
real and personal property. 1 l'.e.ny statutory provisions have rep;ulated
this function in Piatt County. Early laws fixed the value of the
several categories of reel and personal propertj-, leaving to the assess-
ing officer only limited discretion, 2
Property assessments in Piatt County were first made hy district
assessors, appointees of the county conunissioners ' court. 3 In 1844,
this duty was assumed by the county treasurer^- and continued to be
vested in that office until 1860, when to^Amship organization was
instituted in this county 5 and assessments were made by tovmship
assessors elected one in each to'^-'mship ar.nually.6
Between 1849 a.id 1898, the assessing officers in Piatt County
roceived their assessment lists from, and reported assessments to, the
county clerk. '^ In the latter j^ear, the lef^islature provided that the
county treasurer should be ex-officio supervisor of assessments." From
that date until the present, the to»vnship assessors have worked under
the direction of, and ruportsd the assessm^cnt of property to, the county
1. L.1871-72 , p. 20-22; L.1579 , p. 243; L.1881 , p. 134; L.1891 . p. 187;
L.1S98 , p. 37,40,44; L.1903 , p. 295,296; l71925 , p. 491,492,504,505;
L.1927 , p. 713,714; L.1928, Sp. Sess., p. 106; L. 1931-52 . First Sp.
Sess., p. 66,
2. L.1819 , p. 313-19; L.1825 , p. 173; L.1339, p. 4-6; L.1S40 , p. 4;
L.1845 , p. 6.
3. L.1839 , p. 4. From 1827 to 1839 property assessments were made by the
county treasurer (R.L.1327, p. 330).
4. L.1843 , p. 231,237; L.1853 , p. 46.
5. Piatt County adopted" tovmsliip organizotion in 1859, but the change was
not effective until 1360.
6. L.1851 , p, 38,54-57; L.1853 , p. 14,15; L.1855 , p. 35,37; L.1871-72 ,
p. 20-24.
7. L.ie49 . p. 121,128; L.1849 , Second Sess., p. 38; L.1853 , p. 14,17,47,
49,50; L.1871-72 , p. 19,20,22,23.
8 . L.1398, p. 35,37.
- 177
- 178 -
Supervisor of Assessments (262-26U)
treasurer, acting in this ex-officio capacity. Every assessor is "bona-
ed in the sum of $500. Bond for the suporvisor of assessments is $2,000
or such larger sum as the county board may determine, ^
For other taxation records, see entries 27-^^71 S?[iii, ix, xviii,
xxxv], 95. 125. 265-270, 302. 321-32U, 326-328. 331.
262. SCHEDULES PERSO'JAL PROPERTY, 1935—. 5 f.b.
Schedules of real estate and personal property, shewing name and address
of owp.er, number of school district and na;.:e of tcvTnship, valuation, date, oath
and sig2iature of assessor. Arr. alph. by name of twp. i-Io index. 12 x 15 x 22.
Treas.'s off., 1st fl.
263. ROAD TAX AND RAILROAD TAX LIST, 1898-1932. I6 f.b. (13-15. ^1 .
51-53. 70, 71. 161, lo3, I6U, 167, 168, 372, 530). 1368-97.
1933 — ill- (Miscellaneous Papers), entry 82.
Railroad tax schedules, road and bridge tax lists, and levies for road
and bridge funds. Arr. by date of patter. For indc", see entry 1.
Natui-e of recording varies. 10 x U^ x 1^. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
26U. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE TAX RECORD, 19?2~. 1 v.
Tax schediales for telephone and telegraph companies, showin,?; name of
company, location and description of property, nature of assessment,
total amount of tax due, and dates. Arr. by date of levy. No index.
Hdw. on pr. fm. 25O p. 18 x 12 x 3. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
1. L.189S . p. 3^.39; L.1Q23 . p. Uq3,UqU; L.1^27 . 0. 7"-^3.7^.
^,Next entry <dbo, p. iiJU;
XI. BOATfD OF REVIETiir
The authiority to assess, equalize, and review or revise the assess-
ment of property, an important aspect of 1,he revenue procedure, is exer-
cised by the board of review. 1 Early legislation provided for appeals
from assessments to the county commissioners' court. The court v;as em-
powered to review and revise assessments on real and personal property. 2
In 1849, when the county court succeeded the county commissioners' court
in Piatt County, appeals were m.ade to that body, 3 I'fhen townshir? or^,an-
ization v/as instituted in 18c04 this jurisdiction v/as given to the town
board composed of the to'^vnship supervisor, clerk, and assessor,^ The
board of supervisors in their annual meetinp; exam.ined the assessment
rolls in the several tcvms to ascertain wliether the valuations in one
toT/vn bore iust relation to the valuations in all other tovms in the coun-
ty, and was empoy/ered to increaL-e or diminish the afr.o;re£-ate valuation of
real estate in any tovra accordingly. They oould make v/hatever altera-
tions they deemed necessary in the description of the lands of nonresidents
and were required to assess the value of any lands omitted by the assessor,^
In 1872 the duties of the board of supervisors viith regard to assessments
were the following:
1. To assess omitted property.
2. To review assessments upon complaint,
3. To hear and determine the application of any person
assessed on property claimed to be exempt from tax-
ation.
4. To ascertain whether the valuation in one town or
district bore just relation to the valuation in
all tovms or districts in the county and adjust the
assessment, 7
In 1898 this authority v/as transferred to the newly created board
of review, composed of the chairman of the county board who became ex-
officio chairman of the board of review, the county clerk, and one citi-
1. L.1B9B , p. 46-49; L.1915 , p. 56G-70; L.1919 , p. 727; L.1923 , p. 496-
502; L.1930 , First Sp. Sess., p. 85-90; L.1931-52 , First Sp. Sess., p,
71,75-78; L.1955 , p. 1153-66.
2. L.1839 , p. 7; L.1343 , p. 237; L.1845 , p. 8; R. 3.1845 , p. 441.
3. L.1849 , p. 65.
4. Piatt County adopted tovmship organization in 1859, but the change
was not effective until 18uO.
5. L.1851 , p. 56; L. 1871-72 , p. 21,22,24,25.
6. L.1851 , p. 57,58; L.1G71-72 , p. 24, 2o.
7. L. 1871-72, p. 24,25.
- 179
— J.OKJ —
Board of Review (265, 266)
zen appointed "by the county jud^e.! Since I923 the ooard has consisted
of the chairman of the county hoard as ex-officio chairman of the board
of review, and two citizens appointed "by the county jud^e. The memtors
of the board select their own clrrk. The two citizen members are appoint-
ed alternately for a two-year term. 2
Todayi the board of review in Fiatt County is required to assess
taxable property omitted from the regular assessment, to review and
correct assessments on proiDerty claimed to be incorrectly assessed, to
increase or reduce the entire assessment if, in their opinion, it has not
been made upon the proper basis, to hear axii determine the application of
any person assessed on property claimed to be exempt from taxation, and to
correct errors or mistakes, except errors of judgment, as to the valuation
of any property, any time before judgment. 3
For other taxation records, see entries 27-U7, SaTiii, ix, xviii,
xxxv], 95. 125. 262-26U, 267-27C, 302, 32I-32U, 326-3.13, 331.
265. BOAST OF SEVIET; EECOEI , 1889~. 5 v. (I-5).
Transcript of minutes of boarc' of review meetings, showing names of
complainant and members of the board, nature of complaint, and orc^ers
of the board. Arr. by date of meeting. No index. Hdw. 30O p.
16 X 12 X 2. V. 1-U, 18g9-19i?S, CO. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl,;'v. 5, 1929--,
CO. elk. 's off. , 2nd fl.
266. CO}.a>LAINT LOCKET, lb'99— . 2 v.
locket of complaints to board of review, showing complaint number, name
of complainant, description and valuation of property, cause of complaint,
and findings and orders of the board. Arr. by date of complaint. Indexed
alch. by nam.e of complain/mt . Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 1^0 p. 18 x 12 x 2.
1 v., I899-I932. CO. clk.'s vlt., Irt fl.; 1 v., 1933--. supervisors' rm.,
1st fl. »
1. L.1898 . p. Ub.
2. L.1Q23 . p. U96,U97; L.iq-^1-32 . First Sp. Sess. , p. 71,72.
3. L.1898 . p. U6-U9; L. 191*5 . p. 566- 70; L.iqi9 . p. 727; L.1923 . p. ^+9^-502;
L.iq30 . First Sp. Sess., p. 35-90; L.iq31-"^2 . First Sp. Sess., p. 70, 71,
75-7^; L.1935 . p. ll'53-66.
(Next entry 267, p. 183)
XII, COLLECTOR
Tax collections in Piatt Co'onty ivere first made by the coxmty col-
lector T.'ho was appointed by the county coimtiissioner 's court, ^ This
office v;as in existence frosi 1841 to 1S44, when the sheriff became ex-
officio coxmtj'- collector^ and continued to act in this capacity until
1830; in that year tovnaship organization was instituted in this county,^
and tax collections became the joint responsibility of the tovmsliip and
the county, with the coun.ty treasurer acting as ex-officio county col-
lector,-
Under this plan, tovm collectors, elected one in each township, °
made collections of resident property targes j^ nonresident and delinquent
taxes were collected by the county treasurer,' By the terms of an act of
1855, the town collectors were required to return their tax lists or books
to the county collector who delivered them to the county clerJi:,^ This
provision v;as changed in 1872 by an act of the General Assembly which pro-
vided that the county collector should make an annual sworn statement to
the county clerk, shov/ini;, the total amount of each kind of tax collected
by Mmself ,^
The collection procedure in Piatt County was altered in 1917 v/hen
the legislature provided for the abolishment of the office of town col-
lector in counties with fovrer than one hundred thousand inhabitants, the
county collector to be ex-officio town collector in such counties, lO j\.s
Piatt County has not attained this population minimum, H the county col-
1, L.1S5 9, p. 7,
2, L.1345, p, 234; L,1855 , p, 99, The sheriff was ex-officio county col-
lector from 1819 to 1839 ( L,181 9, p. 516),
3, Piatt County adopted township organization in 1859, but the change
was not effectivo vsntil 1860,
4, L.1851 , p, 38, 59-64; L,1855 , p. G7.
5, L. lSol , p, 38,
6, Ibid,, p. 59,
7, Ibid,, p. 53,
8, L.1855, p, 37.
9, L. 1871-72 , p„ 56,57; L. 137 3-74, p. 56; L.195 0, First Sp. Sess., p, 66,
67; L, 19.31 , p. 756; Lcl951-52 , First Sp, Sess,, p. 112; Lj^933, p, 873,
921; U1G33-34, Third Sp. Soss., p, 220; L.1955 , p, 1156, 1213;
L»1935-36 , Fourth Sp. Sess., p, o9, 70.
10. U1917, p. 793,
11, The population of Piatt County was 16,376 in 1910; 15,714 in 1920;
and 15,588 in 1930, Population Bulletin, p, 9,
- 181 -
Collector
lector has since 1917, mat'e collection? for the to'"nships as '."ell as for
the county. 1
The county collector is tondeci in an amount determined "by the county
toard in addition to that tond required of him as county treasurer.^ Un-
der statutory provisions, he collects taxes for the state, county, and
other governmental agencies, and -nays to the prober anthi^rities the aiiount
in his hands payable to ther..3 He also settles annually "-ith the co^jnty
toard. ^ He prepares an annual list of delinquent property and files it
with the county clerk, 5 advertises his intention of aT)r)lyin^ for judgment
for sale of delinquent lands and lots,° and is required to attend, in r,erson
or by deputy, all tax sales resultin^-T from this action.? The county clerk,
in oerson or by deputy, is also required to attend all tax sales. ° At such
sales, the clerk aJid collector note and mpJce entry of all tax sales and for-
feitures to the state. 9
The county collector is required to keep hie records as collector of
taxes separate from his record's as county treasurer. l'-" The records of the
collector's office include dunlicat^s of receipts issnr'd to taxpayers,
state auditor's and co'jjaty clerk's certification of the collector's settle-
ment with them, duplicates of the collector's reports, delinquent property
records, and tax sale and forfeiture records.
For other taxation records, see entries 21-hl , 8^[iii, ix, x\'-iii,
xxxv], 95, 125, 262-266, 302, ??l-3?^. 3^6-328, 331.
1. L.1925 . p. 605; L.1929 . p. 77^.775; L.1931 . p. 905-2; L.1933. P- 1115.
1116.
2. L. 1871-72 . p. 36; L.in^l . p. jkS; L.lQ"^l-^2 . First Sp . Sess., p, 85,8b;
L.IQ-^V^U , Third Sd. Sess., p. 225,226.
3. L.lg71-~2 , p. 56-59: L.1^37 . p. 922; L.1935 . P. 1156,1213; L.I935-36,
Fo-'orth Sp. Sess., p. 6?, 69.
U. L.1S71-72 . ID. 55; L .1935 . p. 1155.115b-
5. L.lg98 , p. 51; L.19n . p. 759.
6. L.1S71-72 . p. UU; L.1937 . F- 1010.
7. L. 1371-72 , p. U8; LJ/TJC. First Sp. Sess., p. 6U.
S. L. 18^1-72 . p. Us.
9. Ibid., L.1935 , T). 886.
10. L.1917 . p. b6U.665; L.IQ30 . First Sp. Sess., p. 60-62; L.1935. p. 11^9-
5S.
Collector (267-27O)
267. COLLECTOR'S ACCOUKTrS - COUNTY FJIITS, 1«^72— . 3 v.
Collector's account with to'.mships on tax collections, showing date,
tax spread, amount delinquent, errors, coiinty and local collectors'
commissions, total amount delinquent, and total amount of collections.
Arr. ty date of collection. No index. Hdw. under nr. hd^s. 200 p.
18 X 12 X 2. 1 v., 1^72-1909, CO. clk.'s vlt., Ist'fl.; 2 v., I9IO— ,
CO. elk. 's off. , 2nd fl.
26s. TREASURER'S SETTLEMENT RECORD, 1370—. 13 v. (l not numbered,
2-13).
Treasurer's settlement with county collector in account with townships,
showing type of tax, current tax extended, amount of back tax, total
charge, cred.it s, county clerk's fees, county and local collectors'
commissions, amount due treasurer, total accoiinted for, total amount
paid, and date of final settlement. Arr. ty date of settlement. No
index. Hdw. on pr. fm. 2^0 p. 12 x 22 x 3. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
269* TAX RECEIPTS, 1937—. ^-^ v.
Duplicate tax receipts, showing; names of to'."nship and owner, description
of property, assessed valuation, school district nujnler, and ajnount and
date of payment, Arr. alph . "by name of owner. No index. Hdw. on pr;
fm. U50 p. S X 11 X 5. Treas.'s off., 1st fl. \
270. ABATEMENT RECOPX , 1927—. 2 v. (A, 1 not lettered).
Statements of tax abatements, showing name and address of taxpayer,
forfeitures, errors, and insolvencies, date and. amount of abatement,
and type of tax, Arr, by sec, t'^rp. , and raji-'e nos. No index, Hdw.
on pr. fm. I50 p. 27 x lU x 2. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
(Next entry 271, p. 185)
XIII. TREASURER
The treasurer has been an elective official in Piatt County since its
organization in 1841. ■'• He is commissioned by the Governor for a four-year
terra. 2 In 1880, by amendment of the Constitution of 1870, it was provided
th^t no treasurer be eligible for reelection to the office until four years
after the expiration of hie torn of office.^ The per^l sum of the treas-
urer's bond and his securities are determined by the county board.- Upon
request of the treasurer, the board designates the bank in vrtiioh the public
funds are to be deposited.
In the performance of his duties, the treasurer receives the county
revenue, has custody of its funds, and disbvirsos them in accordance with
orders of the county board or specific authorization by law. Ho in re-
quired to keep books of accounis of all funds received and disbursed by
him, to maintain a register of county orders counters i^ned and paid, to
report annually to the count;y board on the financial transactions of his
office, and to settle his accounts with the board semiannually,^ The last
two requirements give rise to a number of sn^rcgated records of accounts
beyond strict statutory requirements. In addition, reports are made to the
treasurer by other county, district, public, and semipublic authorities in
the process of transacting business with him; and, finally, a large nuraber
of records arise from the requirement for collectors of taxes to settle
their accounts with the treasurer.^
The treasurer acts as ex-officio treasurer of the special drainage
district.'
1. L.1837 , p. 49; L.1845, p. 28; R.S.1845 , p. 137; L.1851 , p. 144;
Constitution of 1870, Art. X, soc. 8, From 1827 to 1837, the county
treasurer was appointed by the county ccnmissioncrs • court ( R.L.1S27 ,
p. 329,330; R.L.1853 , p. 515,516).
2. The term was set at four years in 1837 ( L.1837, p. 49); it was later
reduced to two years (L.1845 , p. 28; L.1851 , p. 144). The office was
made constitutional in 1870 without change of term. (Constitution of
1870, Art. X, sec. 8, as amended November, 1380).
3. Constitution of 1870, Art. X, sec. 8, as amended November, 1880.
4. R.L.1827, p. 329; R.S.1874 , p. 323. The bond is required to be filed
in the office of the county clerk.
5. L.1837 , p. 194,195; L.1345 , p. 151; R.S.1S45 , p. 137-39; L.18S1 ,
p. 239,240; R.S.1874, p. 323,324.
6. R.L.1827 , p. 330-33; L.1859 ,' n. 8-10; L.1345, p. 11; L.1895 , d. 304;
L.1913, p. 516; L.1933 , p. 898.
7. L.1885 , p. 78,104.
- 184 -
- 185 -
Treasurer - General (271-276
Accoiints
General Accounts
RepistGrs and Le dgers (Soe
also entry 5}
271. TRE/^UT:ER'S ACCOUNT OF COirTTY FUITDS, 1873—. 3 v.
Account record of county funds, including county farm, ror.d, dog licence,
rGf_:istrar of births and deaths, com-t costs nnd fees, tuberculosis,
mothers' pension, dependent children, and coui\ty officers, slioiving dates,
amount, and pui-pose of receipts and disbursements, names of payee and pay-
er, and balEinceo Also contains Highway Funds Received, 1914-35, entry 282,
Arr, by date of receipt or disbursement. No index, Hdw, under pr, hdgs,
300 p, 18 X 14 X 2, Troas,'G vlt,, 1st fl,
272. APPROPRIATION LEDiJER, 1936~. 2 v.
Ledger of appropriations for coujity funds, showing amounts of levy and ap-
propriation, title of fuiid, date and amount of receipt or disbursement,
and balance in find. Arr. by date of entry. No index. Hdw. under pr.
hdgs. 300 p. 10 X 12 x 2. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
273. REGISTER OF BAl-Ili DEPOSITS, 1953—. 3 v^
Register of county funds deposited in various banks in countj'-, showing
nfine of bank, and date and amomit of deposit. Arr, alph, by nar^c of bank.
No index, Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 100 p,, 10 x 12 x 1 - 12 x 18 x 1,
Troas.'s off,, 1st fl»
Cash Books
274. CASH BOOKS, 1918—. 19 v.
Daily cash book of moneys received and paid out of county funds, showing
date, amoiint and purpose of receipt or expenditure, name of payee and
payer, and balance, Arr, by date of receipt or disbi.u*sement. No index.
Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 140 p, 14 x 10 x 1. Treas,'s vlt., 1st fl.
Comity Orders (See
also entries S-17)
275. REGISTER OF COUIITY ORDERS, 1870—. 6 v. (A, 3, 1 not labeled, 3-$.
Register of county orders issued by the county clerk and co\inty treasurer,
shovang name of payee, date, purpose, and amount of order, c-id date of pay-
nont. Also contains County Highway Warrcuit Register, 1931-35, entry 281.
Arr. by warrant no. No index. Hdw. on pr. fn. 350 p. 18 x 12 x 3.
Troas.' s off., 1st fl.
276. CANCELLED CHECK MB DEPOSIT SLIPS, 1935—. 2 f ,b.
Cancelled checks and deposit slips shovdng date, anount, by wliom deposited
and vathdravm, and naiae of bank, Arr, by date of check or deposit slip.
No index, Hdv;, on pr, f>u, 10 x 5 x 14, Treas.'s vlt,, 1st fl.
- 106 -
Treasurer - Special (277-281)
Accounts
Special Accounts
Sc hool (Seo also
entries 5, 288-292)
277. INSTITUTE FUIID RECORD, 1883—. 1 v, (l).
Record of institute fuiids, 3hovri.n{;; c.mo'ont of feos paid to county treas-
lu'or, and amount paid out by v/ari-ant of county superintendent of schools,
including name of person receiving order or v;arrant, Arr. by date of
vreirrant, IIo index. Hdw. on pr, fm» 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2, Troas.'s vlt,,
1st fl,
270. JION-?IIGH SCHOOL FiriiD, 1913—. 1 v.
Record of receipts from non-high school tax, showing date, anount^ and from
whom received, and distribution made to treasurers of non-high school
districts. Arr. by date of receipt. No index. Hdw, on pr. fm, 150 p.
16 X 12 X 1. Treas.'G vlt., Ist fl.
Probate
279. TRUST FUIH) RECORD, 1074—. 2 v. (1,2),
Record of moneys received by county treasurer and held in trust for vari-
ous clair:ants, showing to whom due and paid, dates, and record of oxpcnso
incurred in handling. Arr, by date of receipt, Ko index, Hdw, on pr,
fm. 150 p. 10 X 12 X 1, Troas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Inheritance Tax (See also
entry li'S')'
280. ESTATE RECORD (inlieritanco Tax Registor), 1911—. 3 v.
Register of inheritance taxes paid, shoving names of estate, appraiser,
county clerk, and treasurer, description of property, value of estate as
returned by appraiser, cash value of annuities, rate of tax. Interest,
total tax, and date of payment, Arr. by date of payrr.ent. No index,
Hd.7, under pr. hdgs. 100 - 200 p. 16 x 12 x 1 - 18 x 12 x 1. Treas.'s
vlt , , 1 st f 1 ,
Highway (Soe also
entries 5, 8, 9, 12,
305-300, 313-316)
281. COUNTY HiniMAY YfARRAlIT REGISTER, 1936—. 1 v, 1931-35 in
Register of County Orders, entry 275,
Register of cancelled highv.Tiy warrants, showing date, amount, and purpose
of v.-arrant, v;arrant and claim numbers, name of payee, and date of cancella-
tion by bank, Arr, by date of v;arrant. No index, Hdv/. under pr, hdgs,
50 p. 14 X 12 X 1/2, Trcas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 187 -
Treasurer - Special (282-287)
Accounts
282. HIGMaY funds RECEIVED, 1936 — . 1 v. 1914-35 in Treasurer's
Account of County Funds, entry 271,
Register of highway funds received, sho\':inc name of fund, date and number
of receipt, from vfhom received, total receipts, and treasurer's fees. Arr.
alph. by type of fund. No index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 100 p,
12* X le'x l'. Treus.'s vlt., 1st fl.
285. MOTOR FUEL TiiX aLLOTI.!ENT RECORD, 1936—. 1 v.
Record of allotments of the motor fuel tax to various highway funds, show-
ing to what high^vay fund ullotcd, date, purpose, and amount of receipts and
disbursements, ccnd balunco available. Arr. alph. by type of fund. No in-
dex, Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 100 p. 10 x 12 x 1. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
Dog License (See also
entry 75 J^
284. SHEEP CLnllvIS, 1950—. 1 f.b.
claims for damages to sheep, showing; names of owner and tovmship super-
visor, date and number of sheep killed or damaged, amount of najment, and
date of cancellation. Arr. by date of claim. No index. Hdw. on pr. fm.
10 X 5 X 14. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
County Officers and
Court Foe s
285. REGISTER OF EX-OFFICERS AND YilTNESS FEES, 1910—. 1 v. (2).
Register of delinquent fees due and paid ex-officers and witness foes
paid thro\igh treasurer, shov^ing date and amount received by treasurer,
name of ex-official or witness, date of advertising, date and amount of
payment, and remarks. Arr. alph, by name of payee. No index. Hdw. under
pr. hdgs. 300 p. 18 x 12 x 2^, Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
286. REGISTER OF FEES, 1910—, 1 v, (1).
Register of fees paid to county treasurer, showing type of fee, amount and
date of payment, and source of receipt. Arr. by date of payment. Indexed
alph, by name of payer, Hdv.'. under pr. hdgs, 550 p, 18 x 12 x 3. Treas.'s
vlt., 1st fl.
Drainage (See also
entries 7, 10, 17,
327, 328)
287. DRAINAG2 TREASURER'S ACC0Ui:TS, 1885--. 6 v. (1 not numbered,
2. --5). ^ . , .
Drainage treasurer's record of receipts and disbursements, showing date,
.•ynount, number and purpose of receipt or disbursement, legal description
and numbers of subdivision or section, town and range, number of acres,
cuiiount of assessment, and total receipt , Arr. by subdi strict no. -^lo
index, Hdw, under pr. hdgs. 250 p. 16 x 12 x 2. Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
(Next entry 208, p. 189)
XIV. SUP^RIIITSIDENT OF SCHOOLS
The first cou:ity school offici-?.l in Fi-'-.tt County wp.s the county
school cornmissioner who wp.s elected for p. two-year term.l The principal
duties of this officer centered r.roir;id the s'.le of school lp.nds. His
reports of these sr.les were in-vdi) to the county commissioners' court r.nd
recorded toy their clerk in a well-bcund book kept for that purpose.^
The school commissionor also reported to the county commissioners' court
on his other transactions in regard to the school fund.^ In 1845 the
office of county superintendent of schools was created j.s an ex-officio
office of the county school coaT.isGioncr.4 For his ex-officio duties as
superintendent of <^chool5, the commissionor received additional coir.pense/-
tion for the days actually engaged in the performance of these duties.^
In 186& tlie office of coTxity superintendent of schools was establinhrd as
rji indcpcndont office, and had delegated to it the .authority formerly vested
in the couiity school commissioner. 6
Tlie superintendent of schools is •-'. stf.tutory office, now elective
for a term of four years.''' Before ent^iring upon his duties he m.ur,t
take ajid subscribe to an oath and execute a bond in the penal sum of not
less thrJi $12,0C0 to be approved by the couj-.ty board or by the jud^je f.nd
clerk of the county courti^ The superintendent's office servos as the
central school administrative eigency for the cou}-.ty. One or more of the
several congressional tovmships comprise the several school districts.
TTithin those adminirtrative units are elected boards of trustees vho have
executive pjid financial responsibilities wliich come under the sup-.;rvision
of the couaity superintendent. ^ The boards of trustees appoint their own
treasurers who also act as clerks of the tovnship (or school district)
boards. -^^
Tlie superintendent makes quarterly r.nd annual reports to the county
board -Jid also reports to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction,
the State Department of Public Health, the st.-.to fire marshal, r^nd the
state architect. His ori,*;inal dutier. are the following:
1. L.1841 , p. 251,262.
2. Ibid., p. 262-67; L.1849 . p. 155,156,159,160; L.1851 , p. 130.
3. L.lfi31 , p. 175.
4. L.1845 , p. 54.
5. L.1849 , p. 178; L.1867 , p. 161.
6. L.1865 , p. 112; L. 1871-72 , p. 732; L.18Q9 , p. 312; L.1909 . p. 343.
7. L. 1371-72 , p. 702; L.190? , p. 343; L.1915 , p. 628; L.1923 . p. 596.
8. L.1909 , p. 345.
^- hlMl' P« 1-36; L.1909 , p. 350; L.1929 , p. 745.
10. L.19 .7 , p. 843; L.1929 , p. 745.
- 188 -
- 189 -
Superintendent of Schools - (288)
Accounts of School Funds;
1. To sell township fund lands and issue certificates of
purchase.
2. To examine the complete accounts of every tovmship
treasurer in his county and report irregularities
to the toivnship trustees.
3. To conduct a teachers' institute, hold quarterly
exariinations for teachers' certificates, and issue
such.
4. To hold examinations for normal university
Gchblarships.
5. To visit the public schools in the county, observe
methods of instruction, make recorim.endations to
teachoi's, and advise school officers; to observe
sanitary and safety conditions, and notify trustees
and state authorities of unsatisfactory conditions;
to inspect, plji.ns and specifications, and approve
those meetinf, stale I'egulationstl
A notevrorthy undertaking of the superintendent of scliools is the
annual teachers' institute. Pioneer let':! slat ion of 1869 provided that
the school directors were to allow school teachers to attend the teach-
ers' institute in their county withiOiit the loss of time or pay. 2 Tvv'enty
years later, the superintendent of sciiools v;as required to hold the in-
stitute annually.^ A fund vras set up for this purpose which has contin-
ued to be made up of the fees received from applications for taachors'
certificates and from teachers' regi s Lrations. Money from, the fund is
paid out only on the order of the superintendent to defray the expenses
of the annual institute, \Vhen the fund oxcceds the annual cost of the
institute, the excess may be paid out I'or special meetings of teachers. ^
Accounts of School Funds
(See also entries 5, 277, 278)
288. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES, 1073—, 2 v. (l not numbered, 3),
I,:issing: 1882-35,
Superintendent's record of receipts and expenditures from vfhich annual re-
port to board of supervisors is m.ade, showing tit.le of fund, date, amount,
and purpose of receipt or expenditure, names of payee and payer, school
district number, and balance available, Arr, alph. by name of fund, ilo
index, Hdw. under pr, hdgs, 500 p. 12 x 8 x 2, Off, of supt, of sch,,
1st fl.
1, R,S.1845 , p. 498,499; LJ.847, p, 122; L.1649, p, 156; L.1853 , p, 246,
247; L.1855, p, 66,67;" lTISGI, p, 190,T9T7 L. 1365, p. 119,120;" L.1909,
p. 347-50; L.1915 , p, 636-38,
2, L,1869 , p. 394,
3, L.1889 , p. 312.
4, L.1905, p, 585; L,19G1, p. 876,
GuT.prIn*,endpnt of Sohcrls - (289-294)
Scr.ccl Districts; Teachers'
Records
2fl9. JOURNAL (Eistrihutive and Institute Fund), 1«86— . 1 v.
CJounty superintendent's daily account rf schccl and institute funds, shew-
ing froir. whom received, nature of distritution, ancunts, and dates. Also
contains Record of Treasurers' Accc^'onts, 19C2 — , entry 290. Arr. ty late
of entry. No index. Kdw. 4CC p. 12 x 8 x 2. Off. of supt. of sch. , 1st
fl.
290. RECORD OF TEEA^iURERS' A'^OCinTTS, 1881-19'"1. 1 v. 19C2— in
Journal (Distrit'^tive and Institute F^ond) , entry 289.
Record of school district accounts and register of notes and securities,
shewing school district numter. receipts, dishurseir.ents, f-.nd "balance of
fund on hand, air.ount of loanable fund, names of sureties and persons receiv-
ing loan of school furids, amourit of iond, rate of interest, and dates. Arr.
hy date of account. Indexed alph. by narrie of twp. Hdw. on Tir. fm. 15C p.
18 X 12 X 3. Off. of supt. of sch. 1st fl.
291. PENSION RECORD. 1914—. 3 v. (A-C).
Record of teachers' pension f^irid, shewing; nr-.r.e and '.ddress of teacher,
number of school district, amount of salr.ry per year, and date and amount
deducted for pension fund. Arr. by date of payment to fund. No index.
Hdw. \ander pr. hdgs. 3CC p. 12 x 8 x 3. Off. of supt. cf sch., 1st fl.
292. CLAIMS FCR STATE AID, 1934—. 1 bdl.
r-lr.ims for state aid, shc'vine; number of school district, financial state-
ment of district, general information, names of tet-chers, and budget
allowed. Arr. by date of claim. Ne index. Hdw. on pr. fm. 9 x 8 x 1^.
Tff. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
School Districts
293. NON-HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PJICORD, 1917—. 1 v.
Record of proceedings of ncn-'nigh school beard of education, showing min-
utes of meetings and financial accouiits", also includes a list of eighth-
grade gradur.tes who attended high school from the non-high school district
during 1918-22. Arr, by date cf meeting. No index. Hdw. on pr. fm.
160 p. 14 X 12 X 1. Off. of supt. of sch., lr,t fl.
Teachers' Records
294. COUIJTY SUF2Ri:!TS:3ZNT'S EXAi-lINATION RECORD, 18G5— . 5 v. Miss-
ing: 1886-94, 1911-13.
Record of teachers' examinf.tions, shewing n".me, address, age, and nativity
cf teacher, date cf examin?.ticn, gr; de and date of certificate. Volume
for 1895-1910 also contains i-etitions, notices, and records of the organ-
ization cf township and comm.unity high school districts. Arr. by date of
examination. No index. Hdw., hdw. on pr. fm. , and typed en pr. fm.
150 p. 16 X 12 X 1. Off. cf supt. of sch., 1st fl.
191
Superintendent of Schools
Pupil Records
(295-301)
295. TEACHERS' APPLICATION, 1914—. 23 bdl.
Applications for teachers' certificates, showinr name, address, and age
of teacher, name of institution from which graduated, number of teaching
months, name of course and school, total education received, and dates.
Arr, by date of application. No index. Hdv;. on pr. fm. 11 x 8 x 2. Off.
of supt. of sell., 1st fl.
296. (TEACHERS' PERI/IANEl^T RECORD CARDS), 1915—. 1 f.d.
Teachers' pension and service record showing name and address of teacher,
beginning date of teaching in Illinois, whether uension contributions
are compulsory or elective, previous ::e.rvice, and district number. Arr.
alph. by name of teacher. Ko index. Hdw. on pr. fm. 12 x 12 x 22. Off.
of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
297. TEACHERS' PEPl'ANEST RECORD, 1914—. 2 v.
Teacliers ' permanent record, shovnng nam.e, age, and addi'ess of teacher,
certificate number, date of issue, subjects taken, grades received,
schools attended by teacher, professional credits, date of employment,
teaching experience, and date and grade of certificate. Arr. by date of
employiTient. For index, see entry 298. lidw. on pr, fm. 400 p.
10 X 16 X l}y. Off. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
298. INDEX TO TEACHERS' PER1.:AI''ENT RECORD, 1914—. 1 v.
Index to Teachers' Permanent Record, entrj- 297, shoY/ing name of teacher,
addr.^<3s, and book and page of entry. Arr. alph. by name of teacher. Hdw.
under pr. hdgs. 150 p. 14 x 9 x 1. Off, of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
299. INSTITUTE REGISTER (Application), 1685-1913. 7 v. .hissing:
1889, 1890, 1893-96.
Copies of applications for teachers' certificates, showing name, a<-:e, and
address of teacher, educational background, name of institution from, v/hich
graduated, number of m.onths and schools of service, course taught, total
education received, and dates. Arr. alph. by ngjrie of teacher. No index.
Hdw. on pr. fin. 200 p. 9 x 8 x 1. Off. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
300. CONSTITUTION AJJD 3Y-LAjVS OF TflE PIATT CO'JMTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIA-
TION, 1391-95. 1 V.
Record of constitution and by-laws of Piatt County Teachers' Association,
showing names of members, dates of meetings, and names of teachers present.
Arr. by date of meeting . No ind^x. F.dw, 100 p. 12 x 8 x 1. Off. of
supt. of sch., 1st fl.
Pupils Records
301. FINAL EXA]i;INATIOT; RECORD, 1883--. 7 v. Missing: 1890-95.
Record of final examination of pupils in comm.on schools, showing name,
age, school, and grades received. Arr. by date of examination. No index.
1883-1910, hdw.; 1911 — , hdw. under pr. hdgs. 200 - 600 p. 12 x 8 :•: 1 -
12 x 8 X 4. Off. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
- 192 -
Superintendent of Schools - (302-304)
Reports; School Treasurers'
Bonds
Reports
302. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT'S AN^IUAL REPORTS, 1868 71 v.
Annual reports of the coraity superintendent of schools, s);owing name and
enrollment of each school, names of t.^achers, positions, qixalifications,
promotion of health ai^d attendcLncj, tax leviss, salaries of teachers,
fund records, receipts and expenditures of suporintendent, tuitions paid,
investments, general and fintmcial reports, number of one-room schools,
aiid remarks. Arr. by subject matter. No index. Hdw. on pr. fra. 50 p.
14 X 7 X }, Off. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
303. TRUSTEES' AJSVAL REPORTS, 1352—. 74 v.
Annual reports of school trustees to superintendent of schools, showing
names of trustees, school, ar.d teachers, school census, number of school
district, activities for promotion of health aiid attendance, income from
taxes and other sources, qualifications and annual salaries of teachers,
and accoimt of expenditures. Arr. by date of report. No index. Hdw. on
pr. fra. 13 p. 14 X 8 X §-. Off. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
School Treasurers' Bonds
304. (TOWl^'SinP TRSASl^REHS' BOI)!DS) , 1906--. 7 f.b.
Tovmship school treasurers' bonds showing names of principal, sureties,
and township, date, amount, and terms of bond, notarial acknowledgement, and
date of filing. Arr. by date of bond. No index. Hdw. on pr. fn.
6 X 5 X 12. Off. of supt. of sch., 1st fl.
(Next entry 305, p. 195)
XV. SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGffiTAYS
From 1841 to 1849 the countjr coinmissioners' court oxercised jur-
isdiction over roads and bridj^eS in Piatt County,-'- The court was
empowered to locate new roads, to alter or vacate old roads, to
divide the county into road districts, and to appoint a supervisor in
each district,"^ Tho construction and maintenance of roads were effect-
ed by means of a labor tax levied on all able-bodied men betv/een the
ages of eighteon and fiftjr. It was the supervisors' du'by to suriimoia
these men for work when road labor was needod,^
From 1849 to 1860, the county court in Piatt County had the con-
trol and supervision of public roads and bridges. The substitution of
this administrative body for the old county commissioners' court effect-
ed no material changes in the earlier set up. Tho system of road dis-
tricts was retained and the work of superintending road construction
and maintenance continued to bo vested in district supervisors .^
In 1860, when township organization was instituted in Piatt
County, 5 the caro and suporintondoncc of roads became the responsi-
bility of tho townships. In 1849 legislation enabling tho adoption of
this form of county govornmont had provided for tho oloction in each
township of a highvjay commissioner and as many overseers of highT;ays
as there were road districts in the county. The commissioners at
their annual meeting determined necessary action for establishing new
roads and repairing, altering, or vacating old roads; the overseers of
highYrays were then required to carry out tho commissioners ' instruc-
tions,^ This system of road control and maintenance obtained until
1913; in that year tho office of suporintondent of highways was first
established,' Tho boards of highway coim-iiis si oners wMch existed
prior to that date have continued to function, but their powers are
principally subordinated to those of the superintendent of highways.
The superintendent is appointed by the county board. The board
submits a list of three to five candidates to the State Department
of Public ITorks and Buildings, which department examines tho candidates
1, L,1819 , p. 175; R,L.1827 , p, 340,
2, L,1819 , p, 333; L,1825 , p. 130 J K,L.1827 , p. 340, 344.
3, L,1819 , p, 334; R . 1.1827 , p, 541, 342,
4, L,1847 , p. 111-13"; L,1849 , p. 65; L.1851 , p, 179,
5, ToTmship organization, adopted in 1859, was not effective until
1860.
6, L,1849 , p. 212,
7, L,1913 , p, 524,
- 193 -
- 194 -
Superintendent of
}Iif;hv,tiys
to determine the person best fitted for the office,^ The euocossful
candidate holds office for six years and in romunerated in a sum fixed
by the county board.
The powers and duties of the superintendent of hif^hvffiys como under
the rules and regulations of the Department of Public ''.Ycrks and Build-
ings. Hovrovor, the superintendent is subject, upon hearing to remov-
al by the countj-- board. The superintendent exorcises supervision over
township, county, and state-aid roadn, and bridges and culverts in his
county, aiid is required to perform such other duties as may bo proscribed
by the chief highvrtiy engineer of the state ."^
His principal duties are as follown :
1. To prepare plans, specifications, and estimates for all
bridges to be built by the county.
2. To supervise the construction and maintenance of county
roads and bridges, and state-aid roads.
3. To inspect the highways and bridges in each town or dis-
trict of his county at least once a year.
4. To advise and direct the highAvay commissioners in each
town or district as to the best methods of repair, main-
tenance, and improvement of highways and bridges.
5. To approve any purchase in excess of $200 for materials,
machinery, or apparatus to be used in road construction
in any tovm or district. ^
He is required to keep the following records :
1. Records of contracts, purchases, and expenditures
authorized by himself, the county board, or township
comnissioners.
2. I&ps, plats, blueprints, specifications, etc., arising
from his supervision of roads and bridges, or the plan-
ning of nov.r construction.
3, Accounts of the funds handled by his office.
4, Reports from other officers or bodies touching upon the
affairs of his office; copies of his own reports on the
administration of his office; related papers.'^
1. L.1921, p. 781; L.1933, p. 961. l-'rora 1913 to 1917 the list vms
submitted to the State Highway Commission ( L.1915 , p. 524), In
1917 this state agency Viras abolished, and its rigTits, powers, and
duties were vested in the Department of Public '*Yorks and Buildings,
created in the same year ( L.1917 , p, 4,1G,24).
2. L.1921, p. 782; L.1933, p." 961.
3. L.1913, p, 523-26.
4. Ibid,, p. 525.
- 195 -
Superintendent of Highways - (305-310)
Coiiirnissioners' Records;
Construction and Maintenance
Records
Cormissioners' Records
305, COUIITY SUPERINTEllDENT OF ElGEilAYS RECORD BOOK, 1924--, 1 v.
Distribution record of higliway funds, shovdng name of fund, type of con-
struction or improvenent, date, name of contractor, airiount of contract,
specifications of material and labor, and itemized financial statements.
Arr, by date of contract. No index. Typed and hdv/, under pr. hdgs,
350 p. 11 X 15 X 2, Off, of Eupt, of hwys,, 1st fl,
306, CASH BOOK, 1936—, 1 v.
Cash book of receipts and disbursements, showing date, amounts received
or disbursed, and balance available, Arr, by date of entry. No index,
Kdw, under pr, hdgs, 200 p, 13 x 18 x 1, Off, of supt, cf hfrjs,, 1st fl,
307, (MOTOR FUEL TAX PAPERS), 1935^-. 1 f,d.
Original motor fuel tax papers including requests for construction and
m.aintenance of reads, road changes, approvals or disapprovals, with date,
lists of material required, itemized statements of receipts and- expendi-
tures, and balance available, Arr, by date of document. No index. Typed
and hdw, 11 x 12 x 26, Supt, of hwys, off,, Ist fl,
308, (BUDGET ACCOUNT), 1936—, 1 f.d.
Budgets .and appropriations for road and bridge construction, maintenance,
purchase of machinery, and other accounts, showing date, amount of claim,
name of claimant, amount and date of appropriation, and balance available.
Arr. by date of clairri. No index. Hdw, under pr, hdgs, 11 x 12 x 26,
Off, of supt,. of hTr/s-, 1st fl.
Construction end llaintenance Records
Plans and Specifications
309, C0U1\ITY HIGEJAY3 AND BRIDGES, 1921—. 800 plans.
Construction plans of county roads and bridges, showing location of proj-
ect, length, width, elev-tion, cross sections, and details of special and
unusual constructions, material specifications, and indications of how and
where materials are to be placed. Artist, Robert Bower, Published in
llonticello, Illinois, 1 in, to 100 ft,; l/2 in. to 10 ft, 22 x 36, Off,
of supt. of hwi's,, Ist fl,
310, VILUGE OF ATWOOD PAVING, 1924, 3 maps.
J'japs of construction details for the street paving; of streets of village
of Atwood, showing outlines of streets, speoit'joations, cr<>Es-sHotional
dimensions, and locations of -jjiiprovements , Author, "T, J. Day, ^rjgin«er.
Blueprint, 1 in, to 10 ft. 24 x 36. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 196 -
Superintendent of Highways - (311-316)
Allotments and Clains;
Warrants
Contracts
311. CONTRACT CONSTRUCT I CIJ LEDGER, 1924—. 1 v.
Record of contracts for construction cjid inprovonents of highways, showing
bids, requisitions, orders to let contract, nana of contractor, materiaJ
specifications, and date and amount of contract. Arr. by date of contract.
Indexed alph. by name of improver.ent. Typed and hdw. under pr. hdgs.
350 p. 18 X 13 X 2. Off. of supt. of hvrjs., 1st fl.
Labor
312. (TIMS CARDS), 1935—. 1 f.d.
Daily tinie reports showing distribution of la'Qor and material, date, niin-
ber of hours of work, rate of pay, and total costs. Arr. by date of reporti
No ihdex. Typed on pr. fn. 11 x 12 x 26.. Off. of supt. of hwys., 1st fl.
Allotmeo'ts and Claims
313. MOTOR FUEL TAX ALLOTMENT RECORD, 1938—. 1 v.
Ledger of motor fuel .tax allotments, showing date, ajnount requested by
county board, claim and receipt numbers, and totjil amount of receipts ojid
fund distribution. Arr. by date of allotment. No index. Hdw. under pr.
hdgs. 350 p. 12 X 16 x 2. Off. of supt. of hwys., 1st fl.
314. (COUNTY HIGHWAY CUIUS), 1932—. 1 f.d.
Original Mghwr>y claims showing warrant and claim numbers, date, amount,
and purpose of claim,, and naio of claimant. Arr. by date of claim. No
index. Hdv/. and typed on pr . fm. 11 x 12 x 26. Off. of supt. of hwys.,
1st fl.
315. CLAIM REGISTER PIATT COmiTY, 1936—. 1 v.
Register of claims against highway funds, showing date, amount, and purpose
of claim, name of claimauat, cost distribution, and amount of payment. Arr.
by date of claim. No index. Hdw. and typed u:ider pr. hdgs. 350 p.
12 X 16 X 2. Off. of supt. of hw^^s., 1st fl.
Warrants
316. (PURCHASE ORDERS), 1935—. 1 f.d.
Duplicate highway purchase orders showing nam^s of fund and firm, nature
of purchase, quantity, price, date, and anount pf order. Arr. by date of
purchase. No index. Hdw. and typed on pr. fra. 11 x 12" x 26. Off. of
supt. of hwys., 1st fl.
- 197 -
Superintendent of Highways - (317,318)
Reports; Corresrondence
Reports
317. (STATE AUDITOR'S REPORTS), 1932—. 1 f.d.
Duplicates of reports of notor fuel fu:id transactions to state auditor,
showing itemized receipts and disbursements of motor fuel tax funds,
araount available, acknowledgnent, and date of report. Arr. by date of
report. Ko index. Typed on pr. fn. 11 x 12 x 26. Off. of supt. of
hwys., 1st fl.
Correspondence
318. (LETTER FILE), 1935 — . 1 f.d.
General correspondence to and frcn superintendent regarding construction
and inpr ovenents of highways aiid bridges. Arr. by date of correspondence,
No index. Tjrped. 11 x 12 x 26. Off. of supt. of hwys., 1st fl.
(319)
XVI, SiiRVEYCR
The office of surveyor iiras first established in Illinois in 1821; the
iiicur.hent was an appointee of the Cienernl Assembly, Durinj^ the recess of
the Ici^islnture nominations were made by the oovjaty comrr.issionors* court
to the Governor, 2 Prom 1835 to 1956, the county surveyor was an elected
officer of the county alcctoratc^ Since Sertonber, 1936, ho has been an
appointee of the county board. His appointnont is for a foui'-year term.
He takes and subscribes to an each v/hich is filed in the county cleric's
office.'^
The sur^reyor is required by law to make all surveys vdthin the
boxmds of his county that ho may be called upon to make by the county
board or interested persons. Such surveys include zuwcys of lands of
persons requesting the sanio, of additions or subdivisions, and loarking
of county lines. Few chr.ngcs have been raado in the orifrinal statutory
requireraents forth© duties of this office. The surveyor nay appoint
one or more deputies. Any individual requostinf, a survey must employ
his ovm chainmen subject to the approval of the sumreyor.
The surveyor is required by law to keep a well-bound book in which
to record all surveys made by him, giving such infoi'mation as the names
of the persons whose land is surveyed and descriptive data of the survey.
This record is required to be kept by the surveyor in the recorder's of-
fice. The surveyor also preserves his field notes and retains copies of
plats ,5
For other records of surveys, see entries 112,. 113
319. S'ffiVEYOR'S RECORD, 1343—. 5 v. (A-L).
Record of surveys made by countj'' surveyors and engineers, showing plats
and description of land, names of ovrnor, and surveyor or engineer, loca-
tion of vritnesc trees and corn.jrsto:ioc, end lu-.tcs of survey and recording,
Arr, by date of recording, lv.4o-i920, indexed alph. by name of land ovmerj
1921--, no index. Edv/. 500 - GOO p. 12 x 9 x 2 - 18 :c 12 x 3, Cir. clk.'s
vlt,, 2nd fl.
1. L.1321, p. 62; R. L.1829 , p. 172; R.L.I 853, p. 591,
2, Ibid,
5. L.J^So, p. 166; 1.18 57, p. 558; Il_.S_.1 345 , p. 525; R.S. I 874, p. 456,
lOoO"; L.i90 3, p, 349,
4, L,_1933, p. 1104fl Effective in 1956.
5, r.l821_, P. 63,64; R.L.1G2 S, p. 173; R.L.1835, p. 591-93,599,600;
r/l345, P. 201; R.S.I 84 5, p. 524; R.S.l"874 , p. 1050; L.1885, p. 248;
L.igi'S , p. 575; L.19o37~p. 1104,
- 198 -
(Next entry 320, p. 200)
XVII. DRAINAGE CGLlISSICilERS
For the purpose of aiding in public -welfare and health, the
constitution has delerated to the General Assembly broad povjer to provide
laws in regard to drainage. 1 By statutory provision those activities are
exercised by drainage coinnisE loners in districts of Piatt County. The
corporate authorities of the drainage districts have power to acquire
rigl'its of way, issue bonds, construct and maintain drains, ditches, and
levees for agricultural, sanitary or mininp; purposes, and assess the
benefited property. 2
Drainage districts joay be organized by land ovn-iers upo;i petition to
the county court. ■,"ihen the court finds in favor of the petitioners, it
then enters an order to that effect and appoints three commissioners to
examine and survey the proposed lands. The coriimissioners, v;hen they
have completed their assignment, make a final report to the court v;ith rec-
ommendations and the copies of surveys, maps, plats, and estimates.^
The districts are of three kinds: regular, vv'hich is coirposed of propertj'-
lying in a single town; union, where the lands organized lie in two
towns; special, with three or more tovms involved.'^
After the renort on a proposed district has been made, the court
completes the organization of the district,^ The corporate powers of
regular and union districts are vested in three commissioners appoint-
ed by tovm clerks. The corporate authority in special drainage districts
is vested in three elected commissioners of the district, 6 In regular
districts the commissioners apooint one of their number to act as sec-
retary. The town clerk in union district acts as the clerk of the
district,'^ The county clerk and county treasurer in cases of the
1. Constitution of 1870, Art, IV, sec. 51.
2. First amendment to the constitution, ratified November 29, 1873, in-
corporated in the Constitution of 1870, Art. IV, sec. 31; L. 1879 , p.
124-39.
3. L. 1871-72 , p. 356-58; H.S.1871 , p. 429; L.1S75 , p. 76,77; L.1679 ,
p. 120,124,155; L.1885 , p. 78,93,95,110-15; L.l?07 , p. 275; L.1915 ,
p. 261.
4. L.1879 , p. 155; L.1885 , p, 93,94,113. River districts, though
not in this category, may be organized similarly and witli like
powers (L. 1885 , p. 105).
5. See footnote 3.
G. L.1379 , p. 156; L.1B85 , p, 93,95,113.
7, L. 101 5, p, u90. The town clerk shall be clerk of the union drainage
district, when the major portion lies in his town.
199 -
- 200 -
Drr'.inage Cornnissioners (320,321)
special drainage districts are, reapectivoly, ex-officio clerkl and treas-
urers of each district.
Union and special drainage districts are maintained in Piatt County.
The following records bolono to the drainage commissioners:
1. Records of bonds icsued.
2. Assesi-mont books.
3. Petitions of o-mers of land to stay assessments, orders
of commissioners thereupon, and other proceedings.
4. State f.uditor'3 certificates of interest due on bonds.
5. Tax lists showing pro-rata share of levy for bond
interest (union and special districts only).
6. Copies of reports to county court on conditions of
district and estiran.tcd expenditures; and to county
treasurer on delinquent lands; mr.ps and plats, surveys
and estinvvtcs; office tr?u':.sactions.'-''
The first tvro records are required to be kept in sep-^jate books, the
next three gcner,?21y are ki-.own as the "Drainage Record," and the re-
maining records are kept desultorily.
For othor records pertaining to drainage districts see entries
7, 10, 17, 30-32, 125, 287.
320. DELAl-ID SPECIAL D?AI!IAGS DISTRICT, 19TO 2 f.b.
Papers of DcLrjad special drainage district organization, reports of com-
missioners, plans, claims, poll books, and election returns of commis-
sioners' elections. Arr. by date of d'-cuanent. llo index. Nature of
recording varies. 10 x 4-^ x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt. , Ist fl.
321. liiiftlOlvD liUTUAL DPJillTAGS DISTRICT, 18^;:—. 2 f.b.
Papers of the Kanmond nutual drainage district, including plans, special
assosaaont rolls, claims, cancelled orders, bids, contracts, and minutes
of special meotir^s. Arr. by dn/-.c of document. Nature of recording
varies. 10 :c 4-7 x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
1. L.1835 . p. 95; L.1915 , p. 390; L.1919 , p. 463.
2* hJJt'l^ V' 78,104.
3. L.1379 , p. 120-34; L.1S85. p. 78-104.
- 201 -
Drainage Commissioners (322-327)
322. HAJaOND CTTUAL DRAINAGE DISTRICT, 1885—. 3 v. (A, 1085-1914,
1927—5 2 not lettered, 1915-26).
Record of Hajrjnond mutual draina.t'e district proccedin/rs, sViowing names of
property owners, leases, description of land, resolutions and actions of
commissioners, and sanount of taxes levied. Arr. by date of proceedinrs.
Indexed alph. by name of subject matter. Hdvv. 175 - 300 p. 8 x 12 x 1 -
13 X 12 X 2. V. A, GO. civ.'s off., 2nd fl.j 2 v. not lettered, co. clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl.
323. LAKE FORK SPECIAL DRAINAGE DISTRICT OF CKAf/PAIGN, PIATT, AND
DOUGL.'.S COmniES (Files), 18B5— . 19 f.b. (1-18, 21).
Original papers of Lake Fork soecial drainage district, including resolu-
tions of comr.iissj oners, treasurer's reports, certificates of lev;/, notices
of letting of contracts, eng.inecrs' reports of estimates of costs, and
bonds end oaths of commissioners. Arr, by date of paper. For index, see
entry 1. Hdvj.; hdw. on rr, fm. ; typed; and typed on pr. fm. 10 x 5 x 14.
Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
324. LAKE F0R]{ SPECIAL DRAINAGE DISTRICT A!>:D ITS SUBDISTRICTS, 1885—.
16 f.b.
Documents of Lake Fork special drainage district, and its subdistricts
including commissioners' bonds, tax levies, special assessments, lists of
ovmers of lands and respective acreage, reports of commissioners and
engineers, estimates, bids, contracts, construction details, maps, pro"-
files, and court orders. Arr. by date of document. No index. lidw. ; hdw.
on pr. fm. ; typed; and tyr-ed on pr. fm. 10 x 4.V x 14. Co. clk.'s vlt.,
1st fl. "
325. LAKE FORK SPECIAL DI-JII'IAGE DISTRICT; CH/JTAICr, PIATT, AV.T)
DOUGLAS COUNTY, 1882--. 7 v. (1-5, 7, 8),
Records of Lake Fork special drainare district, including resolutions of
commissioners, record of contracts, minutes of meetings, and record of
claims allovirnd. Arr. by date of meetings. Indexed alph. by subject
matter. 1882-1907, hdw.; 1908—, typed. 400 p. 18 x 12 x 5. V. 1-5,
7, 1882-1920, CO. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.; v. 8, 1921--, co. clk.'s off.,
2nd fl.
526. TRANSFERRED LAKE FORK SPECIAL DIU-JNAGE, 1933—. 1 v.
Record of transferred Lake Fork special drainage district, showing name of
ovmer, description of land, jiumber of clt'ssif ication on scale, tax levj'-, a.nd
dates. Arr. by date of transfer. No index, 'ndw. on pr. fm. 50 p. 18 x 14
X tJ* Treas.'s vlt., 1st fl.
327. DRAINAGE RECORD, GALEGVILLE SPECIAL DRAINAGE DISTRICT, 1908-9.
1 V.
Record of special assessments, shovi^ing name of oivner, descrip-tion of land,
and amount assessed. Arr. alph. by subject mifitter. No index. Mdw, 500 n.
18 X 12 x 3. Co. clk.'s vlt., 1st fl.
- 202 -
Iraina^e Commissioners (328-332)
328. TRAINAGE ESCORD - LAKE FOHK BOOT RECORT kW) UNPAID ASSESS! SOT RECORT,
1882-87. 1 V.
Record of tonds and unpaid draina^^ taxes, showing; date and amount of lond,
rate of interest, date and place due and par/'a'hle, amount received, date of
assessment, number of installment, owner's name, le^al description of proio-
erty, and amount of delinquent assessment and interest. Arr. ty date of
tond or levy. No index. Hdw. on pr, fm, 2^0 p. l6 x lU x 2^, Co. clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl.
329. TRE;1KLE SLOUGH DRAINAGE DISTRICT , 1919--. 7 f ."b.
Papers pertainin^?^ to Trenkle Sloufiih drainage district, including enf:ineers'
reports, specifications, ■ maps and profiles, m.iscellaneous or^^anization
■capers, election commissioners' records, and records of commissioners' pro-
ceedings. Arr. "by date of document. No index. 10 x ^\ x 1^. Co, clk.'s
vlt., 1st fl.
330. TRENKLE SLOUGH SPECIAL DRAINAGE DISTRICT RECORD, 1920—. 1 v. (l).
Record of proceedings of Trenkle Slou.^k special f!rain--^^e district, showing
resolutions, contracts, and transactions of commisF,i oners. Arr, ty date of
.meetings. Indexed alph. ty sucject matter. Ty7jed. 5^0 p. 12 x 18 x 3»
Co. clk.'s off. , 2nd fl.
331. SUBDISTRICTS OF THEUI3E SI,OUGH SPECIAL DPJIINAGE DISTRICT, 1929--.
1 v. (2).
Record of subdistricts 1, 2, 3, and U, of Trpnkle Slough special drainage
district, showing taxatle property, legal description of land, valuation,
and amount of levy. Arr, ly district no. No index. Typed, 6OO p,
18 X 12 X 3. Co. clk.'s off., 2nd fl.
332. SWA1,!P LAI^D RECORD, 1902-3. 1 v.
Lists of swaiap lands, showing description of each tract, indemnity of the
land, also report of the United States surveyor general on swamp lands.
Arr. by sec, twp., and range nos. Ho index. Hdw. 600 p. 18 x 12 x 3.
Cir. clk.'s vlt., 2nd fl.
(Next entry 333, p. 204)
XVIII. DEPARTlfflNT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Matters relating to public assistance and ^velfare in the county are
handled by the department of public welfare, which was established in
1937 ts successor to the county coiririission of nublic welfare. 1 This de-
partnent consists of the superintendent of public welfare and a staff
selected by him in accordance with, and subject to, the approval of the
Sthte Department of Publ ic .j'elfare.
The county board submits to the dtato department a list of five
residents as candidates for the office of superintendent. An eligible
list of these candidates is prepared by the state department by competi-
tive exorr.ination and certified to the county board. The board in turn
makes an order appointing one of the eligible? as superintendent of
public welfare.^
The superintendent is char^t^ed with all the executive and adminis-
trative duties and responsibilities of the department of public welfare.
He is subject to the rules and regulation of, and removal by, the state
agency, 3
This officer has power and it is his duty to:
1. Have charge and develop plans for the adminis-
tration of old age assistance.
2. Investigate and study problems of assistance,
correction, and general welfare within his
county,
3. Cooperate with the State Department of Public
Vv'elfare in the operation of welfare plans and
policies in his county.
4. Kamtain such records and file such reports
with the State Department of Public '.Velfare as
that depart-ent msiy require,
5. Si'rve as a.'^enH and executive officer of the
State Department of Public .Velfare in the ad-
ministration of all forms of public assistance
administered by that depar Lnient.4
All the records of the county department arc subject to the inspec-
tion and supervision of ttic agents of this central authority.
1. L. 1935-36 , First Sp. Sess., p. 70-73; L.1937 , p. 451.
2. L.1957 , p. 451,452.
3. Ibid., p. 452.
4. L. 1935-36 , First Sp. Sess., p. 72; L,1937 , p. 452.
- 203 -
- 2CU-
Lepartment of Putlic Welfare (333-335)
Federal legislation was enacted in 1935 ^o provide for the general
welfare ^y estatlishing a system of Federal old age ■benefits. In order
to participate in the tcnefits of this act,! the several states were
required to submit plans for old age assistance. Illinois passed legis-
lation complying with this act the same year. 2 Today, the Federal gov-
ernment pays to Illinois, one half of the siams expendea on old age as-
sistarice.
The department of public welfare administers old age assistance and
is subject to the rules and regulations of the state department, 3 Upon
receipt of an application the department makes an investigation of the
case. In the course of the investigation the department is allowed to
hold hearings and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production
of papers and books. ^
Old age assistance records and accounts axe kept as prescribed by
the state departm.ent. All applications and records in these m.atters
are considered public records. 5
All of the records of the department of public welfare are kept in
the old age assistance office on the first floor.
333. (OLT AGE PENSION CASE FIL?:s) , 1036—. 2 f.b.
Files of all old age pension cases showing date of application, case
number, name, address, age, sex, and marital status of applicant, list
of property owned, amount of ins\irance, income, living expense for last
twelve months, investigator's report, correspondence, notation of re-
jection or acceptance, amount allowed, and disposal of case. Arr. by
case no. For index, see entry 33'^- Hdw. on pr. fm. 12 x 12 x 2U.
334. (MASTER riUC IIZIEX) , 1936—. 1 f.n.
Card index of (Old Age Pension Case Piles), entry 333, showing case aunber.
name, address, sex, color, age, and marital status of applicant, amount of
award, and dates of application and approval. Arr. alph. by name of appli-
cant. Hdw. on pr. fm. 4 x 6 x 16.
335. (CASE WORKERS' STATISTICAL FILE), 1^36--. 2 f.b.
Statistical file of active and closed cases, showirig nam.e , address, age,
sex, color, and marital status of applicant, case number, invest i rator ' s
report, amount allowed, date of approval, and whether paid or not. Arr.
by case no. No index. Hdw. on pr. fm. 6 x 8 x 11.
1. U9 U.S.S.L. 620.
2. L.in^5 . p. 260.
3. L. 19-^5 . p. 259,260; L.19^5-3b . First Sp. Sess.. p. ^^U,^^^); LJJUI.
p. 265.
^. L. 19-^5- 36 . First Sp. Sess.. p. 57-59: L.19^7 . p. 267,265?.
5. L.19^7 . p. 268,269.
- 205 -
Department of Public Welfare (336)
336. (REGISTER OF OLD AGE PENSION APPLICANTS), 1936 — . 1 v.
Register of old age pension applications, showing name, age, sex, residence,
marital status, and color of applicant, financial ability, and date. Arr.
by application no. No index. Hdw, 150 p. 10 x 16 x 1. Supervisor's rn,,
1st fl.
(Next entry 337, p. 2C7)
XIX. ccuirry hoije
One phase of putlic assistance is ar'ministerec' ty the county home.
All co-unty poorhouses, poor farns, and institutions for the support and
care of indigents in Illinois are kno'vn as county homes. 1 County poor-
houses and farms have •xirbeA in this state undor statutory provisions
for nearly a century. The legislation creatine: these county eststlish-
ments for the indigent has changed little since the original enactments.
The county toards of the various counties may esta'blish a county home,
and are c;ranted the follo'wing powers:
1. To acquire ty purchase, grant, ^ift, or r'evisc, a suitable
tract or tracts upon which to erect and maintain a county
poorhouse and other neco'jsary Duildinr? , and for the es-
tatlishment and maintenance of a farm for the emplO}T.ent
of the poor.
2. To receive gifts and "bequests to aid in the erection and
maintenance of the poorhouse, or in the care of the indi-
gents.
3. To make rules and regulations for the same.
U. To appoint a keeper of the poorhouse and all necessary
agents and servants for the m.anagement and control of the
poorhouse and farm,, and to crescri co their compensation
and duties.
5. To aptioint a county physician and prescribe his compensa-
tion and duties.
6. To apt)oint an acent to have the general supervision and
charge of all m.atters in relation to the care and support
of the poor, and to prescribe his comitiensation and duties.
7. To make the necessary appropriations for the erection and
m.aintenance of the cour^ty home. 2
Records of the county home are prepared and kept "by the keeper (super-
intendent) of the home. He is required to keep an account shoY;in<' the name
of each person admitted to the county poorhouse, the time of his admission
and discharge, the plB.ce of his tirth, and the cause of his dependency. He
is also required, at the sam.e time each year, to file '•ith the countv clerk
of his county a copy of this record together '••ith a statement showing the
average numter of persons kex-t in the poorhouse each m.onth during the year. 3
1. L.1919 . p. 699; L.l'iy^ . p. IG58.
2. L.18^9 . p. 13^; R.S.lgU^ , p. UoU,4r''5; L,H6l, p. 180; R.s.ig?^ , p. 757;
L.1917 , p. 63?5,b39; IA211> v. 69S,'S99; L.i03^ . r. l057,ir5S.
3. R.S.I07U . p. 75!?.
- 206 -
- 207 -
County Hone (537-540)
All of the records of thn county hono are kopt in the stev.'ard's office
on the second floor.
337. ALIJSIiOUSK REGISTER, 1884—. 1 v. (1).
Re,'T;ister of county homo inmates, showing name, sex, age, color, occupation,
civil conditioii, birthplace, last residence, education and health status,
list of property ownr.d, authority, cause of pauperization, dates of admission
and discharge, and remarks. Arr. by date of admission. No index. Ildw,
under pr. hdgs. 140 p. IB x 16 x 2,
538. (RECORD CF lIJI'LiTES), 1930—. 1 v.
Record of state and looal information on county farm inmates, showing name,
age, residence, sex, color, civil condition, occupation, and date and place
of birth, name and hirtliplcicc of parents, m.aid6n name of mother, record of
military or naval sor-vice in the United States, date and cause of death and
place of burial of deceased, dates of adrdssion and discharge, nrune and ad-
dress of authority and correspondent, cause of pauperism, health status,
religion, remarks, and list of personal effects. Arr. by date of admission.
No index. Hdv;. on pr, fm. 75 p. 6 x 9 x 1.
For prior record of inmates, see entry 337.
359. (RECEIPT AND DISBimSaiENT REGISTER), 193? — . 1 v.
Quarterly receipt and disbursement ledger showinj] dates and amounts of re-
ceipts and disbursements, purpose of payment, and tottil. Arr, by date of
receipt or disbursement. No index. Rdv;, under pr. hdgs. 500 p.
8 X 12 X 2.
540. (TOl'.lJSHIP ACCOUNTS, QU^TERLY Px'JJPER REPORT), 1933 — . 1 v.
To\vnship accounts and quarterly pauper reports showing name of township,
inclusive dates of report, name of inmate, number of days and Y/ceks for
which claimed, amount charged against cucli tovmship, date and amount re-
ceived, nur.iber of inmates present i^t beginning of quarter, nuiabcr received,
died, and discharged, and total present at end of qu,,rter. Arr. by date of
report. No index. Hdw. under pr. hdgs. 300 p. 6 x 10 x 1-jj-.
(Next entry 341, p. Cll)
XX. FARJ4 BUREAU
Piatt County farm bureau was oi'ganized in 19191 to promote and foster
the social and economic interest of persons engaged in agriculture, and to
encourage, promote, and foster cooperative organizations for the mutual
benefit of its menbers. The membership of this bureau is made up of
farners of the coxmty. A farm advisor is employed who cooperates with
the University of Illinois College of Agriculture in ito program of ex>-
tension education and farm studies, and to work with f?.rm leaders in es-
tablishing such organizations as 4-H clubs and Dairy Herd Improvement
Associations.
In 1914, Congress inaugurated a progrcjn of agricultural extension
education by providing; for cooperation between the a/jri cultural colleges in
the several states and the United States Department of Agriculture. 2 The
purpose of the act was to aid in diffusing useful and practical infornatioii
on subjects relating to agriculture and home oconomics, fXid to encourage
the application of the same. An appropriation was mado to each state to
carry out the act, subject to the assent by the state legislature to the
provisions of the act, and provided that the state appropriate a sum equal
to that given by the Federal Governrjent.3 The General Assembly assented
to this act by a joint resolution which authorized .and empowered the
trustees of the University of Illinois to receive the grants of money
appropriated under the act, and to organize and conduct agricultural
extension work in connection with the College of Agriculture of the
University. 4
The General Assembly appropriated money in 1917 for the payment of
county agricultural advisors. 5 The money was appropriated to the
Department of Agriculture to be distributed equally among the several
county agricultural advisors of the state to apply upon their salaries.
The vouchors approved by the Department of A^jri culture for payment were
to be accomp.anicd by the certificate of the agricultural college of the
University of Illinois that the requirements of the act relative to the
employment of county advisors had been substantially applied. In 1928,
to further develop the cooperative extension system in agriculture and
home economics, Congress appropriated additional sums of money, eighty
percent of which was to be utilized for the payment of salaries of ex-
tension agcjits in counties of the several states.^
1. Supervisors' Record, v. K, p. 159.
2. 38 U.S.S.L. 372.
3. Ibid., 373.
4. L.1915 , Joint Resolutions, p. 732.
5. L .1917 , p. 85.
6. 45 U.S.S.L. 711.
- 208 -
(Next entry 341, p. 211)
XXI. . TU3EECUL0SIS SANITAEIIUJJ BOAFJ)
In 1909 the powei's of the coirity were extended to permit the estab-
lishment of a sajiitarivj" for the care and treatment of county residents-
suffering" from tuberculosis. 1 This provision was greatly amplified in
an act of 1915 which described in detail the conditions necessary to the
establishment of such szi institution and the manner in which it was to
be supported, managed, and controlled. 2
The act provided that whenever one hundred legal voters in a county
should petition the county board to levy a tax for the establishment and
maintenance of a. tuberculosis sanitarium, the board was required to sub-
mit the question to the voters of the coujity at the next regular general
election. A favorable majority of all votes cast upon the proposition was
necessary for adoption. 3 In the original legislation of 1915 the amount
of the tax levif was limited to not more than three mills on the dollar
.annually on all taxable property in the county. 4 Tliis limit was lowered
in 1923 to two mills, 5 and further reduced in 1929 to one cUid one-half
mills, S the present statutory requirement. The money thus received was
to be set a,part in a special TuberculOt;is Saiaitarium Tund.'''
The management of the sanitarium was vested in a board of three
directors appointed by the president or chairman of the county board
with the approval of tha.t body. The directors were to serve for three
years. 8 Vacancies on the boijrd were to be filled in the manner in which
the original appointments were made. Imm.ediately after their appointment,
the directors were required to meet and elect from their number a presi-
dent, secretary, and such other officers as they might deem necessary. 9
The county electorate voted on November 5, 1913,10 for the le^-ying of
a tax to establish such an institution; the first board of directors was
appointed on June 7, 1919. ■'-•'•
1. L.1909 , p. 162.
2. L .1915 . p. 346-49.
3. Ibid., p. 346,347,
4. Ibid., p. 346,
5. L.1923 , p. 302.
6. L.1929 , p. 304.
7. L.1915 , p, 345; L .1925 , p. 302; L.1929 , p. 304,305.
8. The first three directors, however, were required to serve for
irregular terns of one, two, and three years in order to permit
the appointment of one new director annually. The particular
term each director was to serve was decided by lot ( L.1915 , p, 347)
9. L.1915 , p. 347.
10. Abstract of Votes, f.b. 48 (see entr-y 76).
11. Supervisors' Eecord, v. M, p. 207.
- 209 -
- 21C -
Tuberculosis Sanitarium Soard
Todry the powers and duties of the bonrd of directors axe essenti?!-
ly the sriio a.s in 1915, The directorn hnvo been givui broad powers in the
control ?nd mj^iir^cment of any srnit?>.riurn, nil dispens.?xies, or auxiliary
institutions and activities est:;blishud or crxriod on under the provisions
of the act of 1915 and the subsequent letCislcttion.l They are grpjited ex-
clusive control of the expenditure of ,?11 moneys collected to the credit
of the fund rnd may receive, in the name of the county, contributions or
donations to the smitaxium of money or property. Persons desiring to
make a donc.tion, bequest, or devise of any money, personal property, or
re.'d cotr.tc n?y vest the title to such property in the board of directors
who, ujo:.\ acceptance, hold ,cnd control it end act as special trustees.
Otherwise, .-11 moneys received for the use of the sanitro-ium rjre ioposited
in the covnty treasury within r. month after their receipt, to be drawn
upon only by the proper officers upon presentation of properly authenti~
cr.ted vouchers of the board of directors. When such a dCDOsit is made the
board is required to secure a receipt from the treasurer. 2
Since 1923, to insure greater working- efficiency, counties maintain*-
ing tuberculosis sanitari-jms have been permitted to convey property ac-
quired -o:.' such purposes, to any adjacent county or counties upon such
terms and conditions as the respective coiinty boards agree on by a major-
ity vote of all members of each board. In the same year it was silso
provided that counties v.dthout public tuberc^Jlosis facilities might use
funds secv::'ed for that purpose to give patients sanitarium care in pri-
vate or public sanitariums of the state. ^ The tuberculosis sanitarium
fund of Piatt County is distributed under this latter provision, as ro
county sanitpJium is maintained. Patients are sent to Macon County Fani-
tarium, PlaJ;^.er Sanitarium of Ottawa in LaSalle County, and St. Johns,
Hiverton in Saaigamon County.
Tlie directors are required to return to the county boaxi monthly a
list of the names of all persons making contributions and donations, the
amo-jnt o:id nr.ture of the property so received, and the date of its re-
ceipt. On or before the second Monday in June in each year, the direc-
tors mclzo an annual report to the coijnty boF.rd, stating the condition of
their trust on the first day of J-^ne, the various sums of money received
from £ll so-orccs and how and for what p\irpose expended, the number of
pationts, end other pertinent statistics, information, and suggestions.^
1. L.1915 , -0. 346-49; L. 19.33 . p. 302, X3; L.1929 , p. 304, 3C5, Cf.
R.S.1937 , 0. 956-59.
2- L.1S15 , p. 347-49.
3. L.1925 , p. 303.
4. L.191-f, p. 348,349.
(341-342)
:a;ii. county i-tirse
The covmty board is Gnpowerod to employ nurses for such putlic health
nursing duties as it nay deen iiooessary. All nurses to be employed as
public health nurses, in addition to beinj ref.istered, must be certified
by the Department of Re 5.;i strati on and Education as qualified to perform
the duties of public hettlth nursing.^ The Department of Registration and
Education conducts examinations to dc-:termino the fitness of applicants ,
and may revoke any certificate for cause as set forth in the act. Review
of any order of revocation may be made by the circuit court, and appeals
from orders or judgments of the circuit court in such rcviev; nay be talcen
to the Supreme Court.
The county board prescribes the duties to be perforiiiod by the county
nurse, and makes appropriations for the compensation and necessary ex-
penses of such nurses.^ In Piatt Co^mty the county nurse visits child and
adult patients throughout tho county. Advice and assistance is received by
the county nurse from, the State Department of Public Health, and written re-
ports, with the consent of the county board, arc made to that department.
341. HEALTH RECORD, 1957—. 1 f.b.
Pupils' health record cards showing name, sex, age, color, birth date,
address, school, and grade of pupil, stutistical report of disease, im-
munization, physical examination report, and names of parents. Arr. by
school district no. No index. Hdw. on pr. fr.i, 12 x IC^ x 28. co. nurse's
off. , bsmt.
342. HEALTH SUR\1;Y OF CHILDREN, 193 7—. 1 f.b.
Children's health survey record cards showing ncjue and address of parents,
school district number, name of visitor and date of visit, naiie and birth-
date of child, name and years of diseases, type and date of inj^unizatiou,
and conditions of parents' health. Arr. alph. by name of twp. No index.
Hdw. on pr. fm. 12 x 1? x 28. Co. nurse's off,, bsr.'t.
1. L.1951 . p. 732.
2. L.1937 , p. 998.
5. Ibid., p. 1000,1001.
4. L.1951 , p. 732.
5. Ibid., p. 733.
- 211 -
BIELIOGRAPHT
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A Bi"blio=;ray)h,y nf Putilic Adjainistrat ion. Compiled hy Sarah Greer. Part I,
General Literature. Hew York: Institute of Puhlic Administration,
Columhia University, 1933«
A Bihliography on the Reor^anigation and Consolidation of Local Government .
Compiled hy Roger J. Bounds. Washington: United States Chamher of
Commerce, 1932.
Buck, Solon J. Travel and Description 1765-1265 » Together with a list of
county histories, atlases, and Bihlio graphical collections and a
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Springfield, I91U.
Carpenter, ¥. S., and Stafford, P. T. State and Local Government in the
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County Government and Its Reorganization, in the United States ; A
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County Government and Its Reorganization in the United States : A
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Supplementary to List of November, 1934, United States Library of
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- 215 -
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(1821-1860)
1821-1830
1, 82
1851-1340
CIIROTIOLOGICAL INDEX
(.411 figures refer to entn/ numbers;
underscoring indicates the ending of
a record in that decade)
New P.ecord£
37, 36-89
1, 82
New Records
Records Beginning in Preceding Decade
1841-1350
New Records
3, 38, 41, 56, 53, 63, 73, 74, 76, 151, 156, 157, 160, 162, 187,
193, 1977 198, 201, 205-207, 209, 221, 222, 226, 252, 319
Records Beginning in Preceding Decades
1, 37, 32, 86-89
1851-1360
New Records
2, 6, 8, 12, 13, 27, 40, 43, 44, 47, 62, 72, 85, 104, 105, 133, 146,
150, 153, 163-135, 173, 182, 188, 1917^92, 199, 200, 218. 228, 231,
246
Records Beginning in Preceding Decades
1, 3, 37, 38, 56, 58, 63, 73, 74, 76, 82, 36, 87-89, 151, 156, 157,
160, 162, 137, 193, 197, 198, 201, 205-207, 209, 221, 222, 226, 252,
319
- 235 -
- 236-
Chronological Index (IgSl-lSgo)
1S61-1870
ITew Records
K 28, 29. II, 91-93, 95. 9b, 98-lOC, 107. 108, 1U9, 155. 168, 171,
172, 176, 177. 179, I9H, 213, 22U, 225, 227r2''^7, 2U8, 253, 25U,
268, 275, 29U, 302, 303
Hecords Beginning in Preceding Decades
1-3. 6, 8, 12, 13, 27. 3S, Uo, U3, ni;, U7, 56, 5S, 63. 12, 73. 7^.
76, 82, 85, S7-89, loU, 105, 133, 1^6, 150, 151, 15G-158, 160, 162-
165, ill, 1S2, 187, ISS, 191-193, 197-201, 205-207, 209, 218, 221,
222, 22d, 228, 231, 2^6, 252, 319
1S71-.13S0
Hew Records
2^. 26, is, U6, U8, 50-53, 55. 57. 59, 6c, a, 6H, 65, 77, 83. 102,
103, lii, 11^4-123, 126, 128. 131. lig. 13H, 136, 137. 1^. 153. 161,
167, 159, 17^, 183, ISb. 211, 2X\ 220, 23?-. 23G, 237. 2^+0, 2U9, 256,
260, 267, 271, 279, 238
Records Beginning in Preceding Decvles
1-U, 6, 8, 12, 13, 27-29, 3S, UO, Ul, Ulf. U7. 56, 53, 63, 73, 7^
76. 82, 85, 87-89, 91-93, 95, 96, 9S-100, loU, 105, 107, ill, 1U6,
II19-I5I, 15^, 156-153, 160—16^165, 171. 172, 176. 177, 179. 182,
187, 188, 191-193. 12iL. 197-201, 205, 206, 222, -'^9, 213, 218, 221,
222, 22U, 225, 226-228. 231, 2U6, ^, 2US, 252, 25U, 268, 275."^,
302, 303, 319
1881-1890
Hew Records
25. 39. ^2, 69, 78, 80, 90, 12U, 129, 135. 138. 1U7, lUs, 152, 15U,
166, 18U, 195, 196, 203, 210, a9, 223, 239, 250, 265, 277. 237. 289,
290, 299. 301. 321-325. 128, 337
Records Beginning in Preceding Decades
1-U, 6, 8, 12, 13, 2U, 26-29, 38, Uo, 1+6-US, 50-53, 55-60, 6>65,
73. ii, 76, 77, 32, 83. 85, 87-39. 91-93, 96, 98-100, 10^105, 107.
lll(-119, 1^, 121-123, 126, 12s, 131, l^, 136, 137. 1'-^. 1^6, 1U9,
150, 151. 153. 156-158. 160-165, 161, 163, 169, 171. 172, 17^. 17b,
177 . 179. 182, 133, 136-133, 191-193. 197-201, 205, 206. 209, 211,
213, 2IU, 218, 220, 225, 231, 232, 236, 237. 2^. ^. 2U9, 25U, 256,
260, 267, 263. 271, 275, 279, 233. 29^, 302. 303. 319
- 237 -
Chronological Index (1891-1S20)
1891-190
New Records
33, 66, 67, 79, 106, 130, 170, 175, 185, 202, 203, 212, 235, 242,
245, 263, 266, 300
Records Beginning in Preceding Decades
1-4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 24-29, 38-40, 42, 46-48, 50-53, 55-60, 63-65, 69,
73, 76-78, 80, 82, 83, 85, 87-93, 96, 98-100, 102-104, 105, 107, 114-
TT9, 121-12Tr 126, 128, 129, 131, 135-138, 140, 146-1487T50, 151,
152, 153, 154, 156-158, 160-166, 168, 169, 171, 172, 174, 176, 179,
T^, 184, 186-188, 191-193, 195-201, 205, 206, 208-211, 213, 214,
218-220, 223, 225, 231, 232, 236, 237, 239, 240, 249, 250, 252-254,
256, 260, 265, 267, 268, 271, 275, 277, 279, 287-290, 294, 299, 301-
303, 319, 321-325, 337
1901-1910
Nev/ Records
10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 54, 94, 97, 110, 112, 178, 180, 181, 215-217,
251, 258, 285, 286, 304, 327, 532
Records Beginning in Preceding Decades
1-4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 24, 2_5, 26-29, 33, 33-40, 42, 46-48, 50-53, _55,
56-60, 63-65, G6, 67, 69, 76-79, 82, 63, 85, 87, 88, 89-93, 96, 98-
100, 102-104, T06, 107, 114-119, 121-124, 126, 128-131, 135-138, 140,
146-148, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156-158, 160-166, 168-172, 174-176, 179,
TBT-THF, 186, 187, 188, 191, 192, 193, 195 , 196-203, 205, 206, 208-
210, 211,~2T2-214, 218, 219, 2^, 223, 225, 231, 232, 235-237, 239,
240, "2^, 249, 250,~^2-254, 256, 260, TIB^, 1^-268, 271, 275, 277,
279, 287-289, 290 , 294, 299, 301-303, 319, 321-325, 357
1911-1920
New Records
7, 15, 16, 19, 21, 49, 68, 70, 75, 84, 109, 111, 141, 143-145, 204,
229, 230, 244, 255, 259, 274, 278, 280, 291, 293, 295-298, 329, 330
Records Beginning in Precedir^ Decades
1-3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12-14, 18, 26-29, 33, 38-40, 42, 46-48, 50-52,
53, ^, 56-60, 63-6^, 67, 69, 76-79, 82, 83, 85, 87, 89-94, 96-100,
102-104, 106, 107, 110, 112, 114-119, 121, 122-124, 126, 128-131,
136, 137, 138, 140,T50, 151, 153, 154, 156-158, 160-166, 168-172,
174-17^ 178-180, 181, 182-185, 187, 188, 193, 196-203, 205, 206,
208, 209, 210, 212'::rr7, 219, 220, 223, 224, 232, 235-237, 2397^40,
242, 249-254, 255, 258, 260, 263, 265-268, 2717 275, 27Y, 279, 285-
289, 294, 299, 301-304, 319, 321-325, 337
- 338 -
ChronologicrA Index (1921-1940)
1921 -1930
New Records
20, 30, 31, 34-35, 81, 125, 139, 159, 189, 190, 233, 234, 238, 241,
243, 357, 264, 270, 284, 305, 309, 310, 311, 320, 331, 338
Records Beginning in Preceding Decades
1-3, 6-8, 10, 12-16, 16, 19, 21, 26-29, 33, 38-4C, 42, 46-49, 53, 54,
56-60, 63-65, 67, 58, "75-79, 83-85, 87, 89-94, 96-100, 102, 103, 104,
106, 107, 109, 112, 114, 115-119, 132-124, 126, 128-131, 135, 136,
138, 140, 141, 143..145, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155-158, 160-166, 168-
172, 174-176, 178-180, 182-185, 187, 158, 193, 196-204, 205, 209,
210, 212-217, 219, 220, 223, 229, 230, 235, 236, 237, 239, 240, 242,
249-253, 254, 255, 256, 258-260, 263, 365-268, 271, 274, 275, 277-
230, 285-289, 291, 293-298, 301-304, 319, 321-325, 329, 330, 337
193 1-1940
New Records
5, 9, 22, 23, 33, 101, 127, 142, 261, 262, 269, 273, 273, 376, 281-
283, 292, 306-308, 312-318, 326, 333-336, 339-342
Records Beginning in Preceding Decp.de s
1-3. 6-3, 10, 12-lG, 19-21, 26-31, 33, 38-40, 42, 46, 47, 43, 49,
53, 54, 56-60, 65-35, 67, SB, 75-79', 31-85, 87, 89-94, 96-100, 102,
104. 107, 112, 115-110, 122-135, 128, 129-131, 135, 136, 133-141,
143-145, 150, 151, 154, 155-15S, 168-173, 17^1-176, 178-130. 183-
185, 187-190, 193, 195-204, 309, 210, 213-217, 219, 220, 233, 229,
250, 233, 234, 256-243, 249"253, 255, 356, 257-250, 263, 264-363,
270, 271, 274, 275, 377-280, 234-383, 291, 293-398, 301-305, 309,
Sll, 319-325, 329-331, 337, 338
(Abar-App)
SUBJECT H©EX
(Figures refer to inventory numbers tmless •'un-
derscored: underscored fig-ares refer to pages)
Abatenent
nosquito, district organi-
zation, 53
record, 270
Abbreviations and symbols used in
inventory, 83, 84
Abstracts
of assessments, see Tax
title, 88
recording of, 121
of votes, 76, 82lil
Accoucheurs' register, 64
Accounts
bejik, register, 273
birth and death, county clerk's,
84
co'onty funds
audits, 36, 93
budget, 82[xv]
collector's, vath county clerk,
39
examination, 93
ledger, 5
treasurer' s, 271
coiuity home, 340
county officers' , 271
distributive fund, 289
estate, 157, 160, 162, 165, 182,
185
institute fund, 289
juvenile dependent fund, 271
school, record, 289, 290
with toi?/nship, collector's, 267
Administrator
See a lso Estate; Executor; Probate
Court; Vfills
accounts, 157
bonds, 89, 90, 156-159, 168-170
examinp.tion of, 78
for sale of estates, 169, 180
de bonis non, 169
fee register, 193, 196
inventories, 157, 171, 173
letters, 157-159, 169
oaths, 156-159, 169, 170
Administrator (continued)
petitions, 157-159, 169
public, 145
record (bonds, letters, oaths,
petitions), 158
reports, 157, 170
record, 183
with will annexed, 159, 169
Adoption
See also Juvenile
jurisdiction in, 131
papers, 82[ii]
record, 170
Adult probation officer, see
Probation
Affidavits
in adoption cases, 82[ii]
clerks aiid judges of election,
82[x:cviii]
for extension of mortgage, 89, 90
in juvenile cases, 82, 117, 140
of posting notices in estate
cases, 155, 182
for tax deeds, 46, 82[iii]
witness, 119, 207, 209
Agreements, recorded, 39, 90
Agriculture, see Industries under
Piatt County
Aliens, see Naturalization
Allegheny fountains, 5, 9_
Allotments, motor fuel, tax, 5, 23
Almshouse, see County farm; County
home; Poor; Public welfare;
Relief
American House (Eement), 28
Andrews, A. K., Compsaay, 72
Andrews, J. W. , 72
Andrews Building, 71
Appalachiaii Mountains, £
Appeal
bonds, 82[iv], 117, 119, 158, 242
to circuit court, 42, 135, 143,
155 , 155 , 197, 205, 207
from cnujity court, to higher
court, 135
- 239 -
- 240 -
Subject Index
(App-Bir)
A]ipeal (continued)
to county court, 42, 129
Applications
for blind benei-its, 18
cei'tificate'5 of noral character,
o2LviJ
collector's, for tax credits, S^Lix]
license
dance hall, _S2Lvii]
hunting:, oSLviii]
inarria/;e, 53, 57
to sell beer, o2i.v]
motherr' .ension, 2, 92,
142. 143
for old a^ie assistance
files, 533
register, 335
for parole, 245
teachers', 295
record, 239
Appointnent
of county officers, see under title of
officer
in orobate, see under title of
appointee
Appraisements, 157, 160, 162, 165
record, 172, 173
Appraiser
appointment, 161
oath, 173
reverts, f^^Lxix], 161
warrants issued to, 173
Appropriations for county funds, 3, 92
ledger, 5
Architect
certificates, 66
state
inspection of school proper ty, 51
school Gu'vcrintendent's re'^orts
to, 188
Argo , John , 18
Army, see Soldiers
Articles, see A^^reoments; Incortioration
Assessments
supervisor of, see Supervisor
tax, seo Tax ~"~"
Assessor
county, see Supervisor of assessments
dir.trict, Zj_, 102n, 122
to-^mship
bonds, 79
duties, 37, 102, IT?
election, 37, 177
Assi-n;nments, mcrtgii^e, 89, 90, 93, 97
Ater, Sdi-ard, 16, 17, IB
Ater, J.-raes, 27
AtlMitic Oco<?ji, 9_
Attachment bonds, 242
Attorney
circuit, 44
state's, s ? State's attorney
At'.vood, village of
m?.rs, 310
soecial assessment rolls, 36
Auditing of county funds, 36
Auditor
reports, 82Lxxix]
state, highvay superintendent's
reports to, 317
Ayer, R. J., 3v.ilding, 71
Bail
bonds, 207, 209
records, 201, 210, 244
Br.iley, ^illi.an, 15, 18
Bank
deposits
register, 273
slips, 276
stock transfers, 89, 90
Bar dockets
circuit court, 226
covJity court, 134
Barnes, Fenry, 1_5
:'=arnes, "^illiam, 14, 15
I?arnum, P. T. , 11
Bement, 6, 27, 28, 30
Township, 27, 32
Bids
drainage district, 321, 324
for rs.'pairs on county uroperty,
" 82lx]
Bills
appraisement, 172, 173
in chancery cases, 197, 207
ci?;ainst county
allo?'ed by supervisors, 7
filing of, 95
of sale, 157, 160, 162, 165
true, see Indictment
Births
Sec also Vital statistics
f^jj^d, register, 271
reports
coiinty clerk's account of,
84
?41
Subject Index
(Bir-Cer)
Births
reports (continued)
warrants
register, 8
stubs, 16
Blind
appropriations, 3
benefits, applications, 18
examiner, see Examiner
pension, see Pensions
Blue Ridge Township, 27
Board
of County cormissioners, see
County board
of heclth, see Health
of review, see Reviev/
school, see School
of supervisors, county, see
County board
B ond i s sue s
for courthouse and jail, 82 [xiv]
drainage, 328
record, 200
highway, register, 20
school
record, 289, 290
register, 20
Bonds
apoeal, 82[iv], 117, 119, 168,
242
assessors*, township, 79, 178
attachment, 242
bail, 201, 210
record, 207, 209, 244
capias, 242
circuit clerk's, 158
in circuit court, 265, 206
collectors'
county, 168, _182
for dog tax, 80
tov.Tiship, 98, 105, 103
constables', 77, 105
coroner's, 172
deputy, 173
102
county clerk';
for deeds, 89, 9"U
drainage connissioncrs ' ,
323,
324
injunction, 242
justice of peace, 77, 105, 212
officers', county, S2[xii^ , 168
keeping of, 102
official, 3
docket of, 158
Bonds (continued)
of probate appointees
See also under title of appointee
examination of, 78
receiver's, 242
recognizance, 62[xxxiii3 , 118, 12;),
139, 242, 243
recorder' s, 120
replevin, ' 242'
sheriff's, 88, 169
state's attorney's, 174
supervisors'
of assessments, 178
tovmship, 168
treasurers'
county, 184
tovmship (school), 90, 106, 304
Bounty
appropriations, 3
crow, vrarrants, 14
Bowman, Reuben, _28
Boyer, A. G., _27
Boyer, George, 16
Brands, see Marks and brands
Briar Crest, _10
Bridge, see Transportation
British in Northwest, 9
Bryant, F. E., _30 ~
Bryant, William Cullen, 12
Bryden, James, 2 7
Budget, county Tunds, 821 xvj
Buffet, G. i:., 69
Cahokia, 9
Cahokia f.^unds, 8
Camp Creek, 4
cemetery d'eeds, 82[xvii]
Canada, _9, _10
Capias bonds, 242
Carlin, Thomas, 12
Carlyle, Thomas ,~T2
Cash books
See also Fees; Fund; Receipts and
expenditures
highway superintendent's^ 308
sheriff's, 257
treasurer's, 274
Cemetery deeds, 82[xvii]
Census records, 61, 62
Cerro Gordo, 31
Township, _27, _31, _32
Certificates
See also License
architects'', 66
Subject Index
- 242 -
(Cer-Cir)
Certificates (continued)
birth, 48, 82 [xi]
record, 49
register, 50
for citizenship, see Natural-
ization
death, 53
record, 54
rcpif^ter, 55
of election, judges', 7G
jury
cancelled, 12, 82[xviJ
register of, 8
of levy, sheriff's, 102
of noral character, applica-
tions, 82 [vi]
optorTietrists', 70
patent (inventions), 71
pension, 20G
physicians', 65
register, 64
of purchase
issued by drainage comr.is-
sioner, 51
mstor's, 89, 90
tax, 82[iii]
recording of, 103, 121
of redemption, 89, 90
inastnr's, 103
sheriff's, 102
of sale
master's, 103
sheriff's, 88, 90, 104
stallion, 110
reneival of. 111
stillbirth, 48
record, 49
register, 50
tax levy, 323
teachers '
applications, 295
record, 299
issuance of, 47n , 48
veterinarians', J7
Chanpaign, 22
Char.paign County, 3_, 4, 12_, 30
Chancery
See also Circuit court; Kaster-in-
chancery
jurisdiction in, 39, 156
Chattel nortgage, see" Mortgage
Checks, cancelled, 251, 276
Chicago and Paducah Railroad, 32
Chicago, University of, 8
Children, see Juvenile
Chiropodists • register, 64
Circuit attorney, 44
Circuit court
appeals to, 42_, 135, 143, 155 ,
156
branches, 156
clerk
appointment, 42, 158
bonds, 63, 158
duties and election, 158
e "-officio recorder, ICO
foe 3
ledger, 24:3
register, 250
oath, 158
office, location, 31
pro-tempore, appointment, 158
receipts and expenditures, 249
records kept by, 197-251
legislation concerning*, 56
reports of fines and forfei-
tures, 137
roster, 63
dockets
bar, 226
chancery, 228
clerk's
chancery, 216, 218
conmon lav/, 215, 218
criminal, 217, 218
comnon law, 225
criminal, 227, 228
execution, 220, 222
general, 214
judge's, 225
judgment, 220, 221
and execution, 220
justice of the peace, 224
lien and satisfaction, 223
naster-in-chancery cases, 219
naturalization, 225
probation, 225
fee books (court costs)
chancery, 229, 231
common law, 229, 231
criminal, 230, 231
files
chancery, 197
common lav/, 197, 205-207
criminal, 205-207, 209
executions, 199
index to, 198
judge, 39, 40, 41, 155, 156
jurisdiction and functions of,
39, 155-158
Subject Index
~ 243
(Cir-Com)
Circuit court (continued)
records
■bail, 244
chancery, 201, 203
cominon law, 201
confession, 202
criminal, 201, 210
decree, 204
index to, 200
indictment, 211
parole applications, 245
recognizance, 243
transcript, 213
reports to, 233-237
transcripts, 241
record, 212, 213
Cities, see under najnes of
individual cities
Civil
cases
See also Common law under Circuit
court. County court
jurisdiction in, 150 , 155
War, 24
enlistments, 72, 108
militia roll, 82[xxiii]
service record, 107
soldiers' bounty, bond issues
for, 30
Claims
blind pension, 82[xii]
against county, 2» 3, 6, 82
auditing, 36_, 93
crow bounty, stubs, 14
against drainage districts,
320, 321
record, 325
against estates, 151, 153, 157,
160, 152, 165
judgments on, 154
orders to pa;', 151, 152
highway, 314
register, 315
mothers' pension, 19, 82
for sheep damages, 284
for state aid for schools, 292
for witness fees, 209, 232
Clark, George Rogers, 10
Clark County, 3
Clerk
county, see County clerk
of courts, see under name of
specific court
of election, see Election
Clerk (continued)
tovm, see Tovrn clerk
Clinton Tfowa) , 72
Cole, Willian, 27
Coles County, 3
Collection of taxes, see Tax
Collector
county
abatement record, 270
accounts
with county clerk, 39
with towns, 267
appointment, 38, 181
bonds, 168, 182
books (lists of taxable property),
38
county treasurer, ex-officio,
33, 181
credits, application foij 82[ix]
duties and functions of, 38 ,
181. 182
receipts, 269
records kept by, 267, .-270
reports, to county clerk, 181
roster, 54, 66
settlement, record, 82[x:ccv3,
268
slieriff ' s early duties as,
37, 181
dog tax, bonds, 80
township
abolition of office, 38, 181
accounts with county collector,
267
bonds, 98, 105, 106
duties and election, 38, 181
Commission
insanity, reports, 82, 117, 122
welfare, county, 203
Com}nissioner3
county
board of, see County board
court, see County board
drainage, see Drainage
highway, see Highway/- under
Transportation
road, see Road \xnder Transpor-
tation
school, see School
Committees, county board, organ-
ization of, 2
Common law
See also Circuit court; County court
jurisdiction in, 130 , 155
Subieot Index
- 244 -
(Com-Cou)
Co.aplaints
in cirouit court. 197, J:07
in juvenile cases, 8?-, 117, 140
docket, 266
before justices, 207, 209, 212
Confession
circuit court, 197, 207
record, 124
in vacation, 202, 212
Conservi.tor
See also Estate j Guardian;
Insanity; Probate court
accounts, 162, ICli
bonds, 1G2, 165-158, 170
examination of, 78
fee registef, 193, 195
inventories, 162, 165, 171, 173,
175
letters, 162, 165-167
oaths, 162, 165-167, 170
petitions
for appointment, 162, 165-167
to sell estate property, 170,
178
i'ecord (bonds, letters, ofeths,
petitions), 136, 167
reports, 132, 155, 170
record, 163, 185
Constables
appointment, 2, 44
bonds, 63, 77
keeping of, lOf ?
creation of office, _44
duties, 44, _45
election, 'A
Construction, see Bridge, Ilighv/tvy,
Koau under Transportation
Contracts
county, authority to make, _92
drainli(?;e, 321, 323-325, 330
notices for letting-, 323
for grading race truck, 205
highway
construction, 311
keeping of, 194
physiaians, 2
Conveyances
See also Deeds > riortgage
"tllTTTor, 197, 207
Coroner
bonds, 65, 172
creatiftn ol^"o?fice, _45
deputy, appointment and bond, 173
duties and povrcrs of, 43, _45, 172
Coroner (continued)
election, 45, 172
files, 253
inquests
files, 253
procedure, 45, 172
oath, r72
office
location, 30
tern of, 177 7 172n
records kept by, 258-260
roster, 55
CorporatioTT"
See also Incorporation
tax schedules, 8£[xviii]
Correspondence
circuit clerk's, 206
hif:hway superintendent's, 318
Cost, court, see Foe book under
name of specific court
County board
board of county commissioners,
Icgislfition establishing, 35
change s
election for, 24
legislation eiTects, 23
clerk, county clork cx-"o7ficio, 101
county comnissionors' court
clerk, _34, 42, 62, 94, 101
duties and povrors, ]^, _£6, 46 ,
12' ii
election, 34
first administrative body, 55
probate jurisdiction, _42
roster, 59, GO
succooded by county court,
_24, _34, _90
county court as early administra-
tive body
composition, _M, _90, 129
early sessions, 90
election for, _24
uxtablishment, 41, 101
first mooting, 7^
members
compensation, 90
election, 129
roster, 60
term of "office, 129
power and jurisdiction, _90» ^'^^
succeeded by board of super-
visors, 34
succeeding county commissioners'
court, 34, 90
- 245
Sutiect Index
(Cou)
County iDoard
coixnty court as early administra-
tive body (continued)
gupei'viBion over roads-, and
bridges, 50 , 195
proceedings, 3
of Gu-oervisors
adoption of, 34, 90, 130
clerk
county clerk, ex-officio,
S5, 101
roster, 6^, 53
composition, _oO, 51_, _90
duties and uowers, 3_S, 93, 94
iuembers
adiitionjil (assistant super-
visors), _35, 91
conpensation, 91_
election, 61, £0
roster, 6]^
ter->i of office, 90
TDapers, 2
petitions to, 82L7;xvii]
records, 1-26
reports to, 2, 3, 24, 25,
82Lxxix], 237
succeeding county court, 54, 90,
130
Coi-tnty building, appropriations for,
3
County clerk
accounts
v.'ith collector ?Jid treasurer, 39
'.vith registra,r of births and
deaths, 84
bonds, 53, 102
creation of office, _95^, 102
duties and powers of, 102 -105
in custody of recoras, 95_
in election procedure, IW/' , ^'"^
in enterintr bonds of officials,
102
ex-officio clerk
board of review, 32
county board, _95, 101 , 106
county court, 42, £5, 101, 135
drainage district, 1_99
prob3.te court, 42
in issuin.^ of licenso;-., 102 , 106
in keenini^ of vital st'\tistics,
53, 54, 103, 104
in re.~ard to Dublic health, 52
in taxation procedure, _Z8, 102.
103, 181, 182
County clerk (continuei^
election, 102
fee register, 83
miscellaneous files, 82
office
location, _81
term of, 102
records kept by, 27-84
legislation concerning, 56
reports
collector's, to, 38_
to county court, 137
to State Department of Health,
_52
roster, 62^, 6_3
County collector, see Collector
Coionty commissioners, see County
board
County court
app eal s
to higher courts, 135
from lower court, 42, 129
clerk of
bond, 102
county clerk, ex-officio, 42,
135
duties, 34, 42, 94, 135
establishment of office, _35
ex-officio probate court clerk,
42
roster, 62_
term of office, 102
dockets
bar, 134
common la'7 and criminal, 126
execution, 151, 133
general, 129
insanity, 130
judge ' s
common law, 128, 188
criminal, 127, 128, 188
judgment, 131, 132
and execution, 131
justice of the peace, 135
fee books (court costs), 136
files
common law, 117
criminal, 119
execution, 121
index to, 115
insanity, 82, 117, 122
juvenile, 82, 117, 140
judge
election, 41, 129
Subject Index
246 -
(Cou-Dec)
County court
judge (continued)
as justice of the peace, 41
oath, 129
roster, 61, 62_
salary, 129
tern of office, 129
jurisdiction and functions,
129-136
in juvenile cases, 131 , 152
in mothers' pension cases, 152
in naturalization v^rooedure, 41,
4?
in probate ratters, 41, 42_, iTIT
over swamp lands, 51
records
common law, 118
confession, 124
criminal, 118, 120
delinquency and dependency, 141
drainage, 125
insanity and feeble-minded,
123, 167
kept by county clerk, 115-149
mothers' pension, 141
plaintiff -defendant index to,
116, 136
recognizance, 118, 120, 139
reports to, 137
■kvnrden's keeping of, 136
County farm
See also County home; Public vral-
fare; Relief
accounts, 271
record of inmates, 338
County funds, goo Fund
County home
See also County farm; Public wel-
faro; Relief
administration, 20G
functions, 54, 2GG
heating system, report of, 82[xxxi]
lodger, 339
location, 72
receipts an3" expenditure accounts,
340
register, 337
reports, 2
superintendent, records kept by,
206 , 337-340
County hospital, county empowered to
build, £1
County nurso
appointment and duties of, 211
County nurse (continued)
health records, 341, 342
office, location, 79
reports of visitations, 2
County officers, see Officers
County offices, see Offices
County orders, see Orders
County property
bids to repair, 82 [x]
control of, 35, 36_, 50, 92_, 93
insurance on
policies, 21
record, 22
County superintendent of highways, see
Highway under Transportation
County superintendent of public
vralfare, see Public vrelfare
County superintendent of schools,
see School
County surveyor, see Surveyor
County treasurer, see Treasurer
County v;arrants, see Warrants
Court, see Circuit; County comjnis-
sioners' under County board;
County; Probate
Courthouse
bond issue for, 82[xiv]
buildings used, 69-72
construction, 19^1
custody of, 51
improvements, 72
offices in, 7_o7~Vl
Cox, Wil?on F., £8
Craivford County, 3
Criminal
See also Circuit court; County
court; Indictment; Probation
cases, jurisdiction in, 130 , 155
Crow bounty claims, 14
Danville (Vermilion County), 10,
20, ST"
Death
See also Vital statistics
accounts of
county clerk's, 84
treasurer's, 271
warrant
register, 11, 84
stubs, 15
De bonis non, see Administrator
Decatur (llacon County), 12_, 14_,
25 , 32
Declaration of intention, see
Naturalization
Subject Index
- 247 -
<Deo-.Dra)
Decrees
See also Orders, ccmrt
in circuit court, 201, 203, 210
of divorce, 204
in J-astice of peace cases, 213
record, circuit court, 204
for sale of real estate,
(prol>a,te), 170
Deeds
See also Conveyances
bills to set aside, 197, 207
ceneteiy, 82[>:vii]
entry book of, 85
grantor-grantee index to, 87
master's, 89, 98
quitclaim, 88, 89, 91
real estate, 88
record, 89
swamp land, issued by drainage
commissioners, 51
tax
affidavits, 46, 82[iii]
sheriff's, 89, 90, 95
trust, 88, 89, 92
warranty, 88, 89, 94
De Land
drainage district
assessment list, 32
files, 320
record, 125
village of, special assessment
lists, 54
Delinquent children, see Juvenile
Delinquent taxes, see Tax
Democratic Party, 11, 12, 30
Demsey (Dempsey), George, 19, 69
Dentists
licenses, 68
register, 69
Department of public welfare,
county, see Public v.'olfaro
Dependent children, sog Juvenile
Depositions of ovidenco, 207, 209
Deputy, see under title of officor
Devore, N. li., 14
Dovore Hotel (tHo Old Fort), _19
used as early courthouse, 15
DeWitt County, _3, 13, _14, J^, _30
Dickens, Charles, T?
Disbursements, seo' ~5cocipts and
oxponditurcs
Distribution of taxes, see Tax
Distributive fund, 289
Districts
drainage, sec Drainage
health, see Health
road, See Road under Transportation
school, see School
Divorce
bills for, 197, 207
decrees, 204
record, 201, 203
Dockets
court, see under name of specific
court; also under title
of docket
required to be kept, 136, 145,
T^ , T75
Doctoi", see Physician
Dodge, PlTT,, _72
Dog
license fund
account, 2 71
claims against, 284
tag record, 38, 75
tax, bond for collection of, 80
Douglas, Stephen A., 12, 30
Douglas, 3
Township, 2 7
name changed, 28
Douglas County, 5
Dower rights, for petitions for,
197, 207
Drainage
See also Swamp lands
assessments
record, 327
rolls, 31, 521
bond issue record, 328
commissioners
appointment of, 51, 199
bonds, 323, 324
duties and powers, 199
election of, 199
highway oommissionfers,
ex-officio, 51
oaths, 323
records kept by, 200, 320-352
reports, 82[xxx], 320, 324
resolutions, 322, 325, 325, 330
contracts, 321, 323-325, 330
districts
assessments, 324
record, 327
rolls, 321
claims, 321
- 248 -
Su'bject Index
(Dra-Exe )
districts (continued)
clerk:, county clerk, er:-officio,
190 . 200
elections for, 320, c29
on.-ineers' repcrtc, 323, 3r;4, 329
estimates, 3,.Jo, 524
files, 320, 321, 323, 324, 329
maps, 324, 329
crJors, court, 321, 324
crgar:i::ation, 52, IC^, 520
petition for, 125
plans, 3.-30, 321
r-cords, 522, 325-328, 330-.332
reports on condition of, 200
treasurer
covtrity treasurer, ex-officio,
184, 199, |T£
receipts and disbursements,
267
reports, 323
funds, reports of, 82Lyjcx]
record, reqt\ired to be kept, 200
tax, se^ Assessment above
Sarninss and ercoenditures, see
Receipts and expenditures
Education, s e e School
Edwards Count:', 3^
Election
See also "onder Piatt County
abstract of votes, 76, 32Li]
board, appointment, 1 33
certificates, judges', 76
clerics
affidavits, 82[x^r7iiil
appointT.ants, 55
draina^-e district, 520, 529
duties, county clerk's, _55, 104 ,
133
judges
affidavit?,, d2Lx:cviiiJ
appointr.ont, 3d, 55. ^
certificates, 76
jurisdiction over, _93, 133 , 156
list of of;'icors elected, 82Lx.;ii]
for niosquito abatement districts,
53
nominations, objections to, 1[ 4
poll books, 7.-., e2Cxxviii]
precincts, petitions to form,
82[xxvii]
special, for drainage, 320, 329
Electoral board, county officers',
134
Emerson, Ralph W.'^Ido, 12
Zmmett, Daniel Dicatur, 11
Ent-^ineers, drainasre, reports, 323,
324, 329
En^^lish, see British
Entry bcoks
of deods and mortgages, 85
of lands, 37, Pt
required to be kept, ^, 120
Equal i:: at ion of taxes, see Tax
Estate
See al?;o Administr-.tor ; Conserva-
tor; Executor; Guard i an;
Probate court; Trills
accounts record, 182, 186
appraisement, ISO, 152, 165, 172,
173
claims arainst, 151, 153, 157,
160, 162, 155
allowed, 154
orders to pa;;-, 151, 152
index, 150
inventories, 157, 150, lc2, 165,
171, 173-175
ledger, 182
property, sale of
personal, 173, 179
real, 173
bonds in, 169, 180
decrees, 170
petitions for, 170, 177,
178, 181
ronorts, 170, 181
reDorts on condition cf, 157, 160,
162, 165
trrjiscripts, 89, 90
P.stimates, draina^-e district, 323,
324
2s tray
papers, 82Lxix]
record, 73
keeping of, 105
Evidence
depositions of, 207, 209
transcripts of, county court, 117
writs of, 117
Sxaminationa, see Pupils; Teachers
Examiner of the blind, aprointaent
and duties, 54
Execution
dockets
circuit court, 220, 222
county court, 131, 133
sheriff's, 252, 253
Subject Index
- 249 -
(Exe-For)
Execution (continued)
files
circuit court, 199, 206, 207,
209
county court, 121
of judgment, orders for, 201,
208
praecipe for, 207, 209
writ^ of, 117, 119
Executor
See also Administrator} Estate;
Probate court; Wills
accounts
160
appraisements, 160
bonds, 156, 160, 161, 168, 170
examination of, 78
fee register, 193, 196
inventories, 160, 171, 173
letters, 160, 161
oaths, 156, 160, 161, 170
petitions
for appointment, 160, 161
to sell real estate, 170, 176
record (bonds, letters, oaths,
petitions), 161
report record, 183
reports, 160, 170
Expenditures, see Receipts and
expenditures
Expense accounts, county, appropri-
ations for, 3
Explanatory notes to inventory,
84 , 85
Farm bureau
advisor, compensation, 208
appropriations, legislation
concerning, 208
board of directors, composition,
208
purpose, 208
Farm names, register of, 109
Fayette County, 3
Fee books
See also under name of specific
~ court
required to be kept, 136 , 159
Feeble-minded record, 123, 167
Fees
See also Cash; Fund; Receipts and
expenditures
circuit clerk's
ledger, 249
register, 250
Fees (continued)
officers', 2
paid to ex-officers, 285, 286
register
circuit clerk's, 250
county clerk's, 83
recorder's, 85, 114
sheriff's, 255, 256
sheriff's, 121, 193, 199, 252, 253
state's attorney's, 193
reports of, 233, 235, 236
v^itness, 5
foreign, claims, 209, 232
order register, 8
receipts for, 209, 232
register, 285
Ferry,
licenses, issuing of, 105
rates, early, 29
Final papers, see^Certif icates
under Naturalization
Financial records, see Accounts;
Cash; Fees; Fund; Receipts
and expenditures
Findings and orders
board of review, 266
in insanity, 130
Fines received by state's attorney
record, 261
reports, 233, 235, 236
Fire niarshal, state
inspection of county buildings
by, 43, 51
school superintendent's reports
to, 183
First National Bank of Monticello, 71
Florida, £, 9_
Foreclosure
See also Mortgage
decrees, 197, 204
master-in-chancery reports of,
234, 235
reports, 90, 238
Foreign transcripts, 213
Foreign witness fees, claims for, 209,
232
Forfeiture
of lands
lists, 92[xxxv]
records, 42, 44, 45
state's attorney's reports of, 236
Fort Creveooeur, 9
Fort de Chartrcs,~9
Subject Index
- 250 -
(Por-Guy)
Fort St. Louis, 9
Foster, Stephen, 11
Foster, ^,7, T., Zf"
Fox Indians, see Sacs and Foxes
:'rer\ch
doniiaation of Illinois country,
and Indian War, 9 "
Fulton County, _8
Fund
See also Cash; Fees; Receipts and
expenditures
birth, account record, 271
bridge, tax levies for, 82, 2c3
county
account, treasurer's, 271
appropriations, 3, 5
by county board, 93
auditor's repofts or, 82[xxix]
budF;et records, 82[xv3
county collector's account of,
267
ledr.er of, treasurer's, 272
warrants issued ag:ainst, 5
county farr., account record, 271
death, account record, 2 71
distributive, account, 289
dog license
account, 271
claims against, 284
drainage, reports of, 82[xxx]
highway
appropriations, 5
claims against, 314, 515
record, 305
register, 271, 282
institute
account, 289
record, 277
juvenile dependent, 271
motor fuel tax
allotment records, 5, 23, 283,
313
highway superintendent's reports
of, to state auditor, 317
•request for, 307
warranto
cancelled, 12
lists, C2[xxiv]
register, 8, 9
non-high school, record, 278
paupor relief, 3
pension
blind, ?, 54
Fund
pension (continued)
mothers'
account, 2 71
adrdnistration, 54
appropriations, 5
source, 133
road
account, 271
appropriations, 3
tax levies for, 82, 263
school
appropriations, 3
management of, 46
non-high, recor'37 278
receipts and expenditures, 288
troasi'i.rer 's, account, 271
trust, record, 279
tuberculosis sanitarium, 209, 271
Galesville drair^age district, special
assessment record, 327
Garnishees, 197, 207
Gas leases, 90, 101
Gets, liens on, 223
Goose Crock, _4, 18, 27
ToAvnship, £, 27 "
Grand jury, soe Jury
Grantof-grantcc index, 87
Grundy, suggested as name for now
county, 13
Guardian
Soo oJ.EO Conservator; Estate;
Probate court
accounts, 162
bonds, 156, 162, 164, 138-170
examination of, 78
estate docket, 137
fee register, 193, 194
inventory, 162, 171, 173, 174
letters, 132, 164
lists of personal propet-ty sold
by, 173, 179
oaths, 156, 132, 1G4, 170
papers, 162
index, 163
petitions
for appointment, 162, 164
for sale of property, 170, 181
record (bonds, letters, oaths,
petitions), 164
reports, 162, 170
record, 183, 184
Guy, Joseph, 29
- 251
Subject Index
(Hab-Ins)
Habeas corpus writs, 207, 209, 259
petitions for, 241
Kai-ies, Elijah H. , 28
Hall, Slias, 27
Hatn-aond mutual drainage district
files, 321
record, 322
Harrison, ^Tilliam Henry, 12
Harsh'barger, Samuel, 1_6
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 11_
Hajnvorth, George, 10
Health
hoard, organization of, 52
department, state
creation of, 52
fuiictions, 52, _53
districts, organization of, 52_
taxes, _52
Heirship, proof of, 157, ISO, 162,
165
Hennepin, Father Louis, _9
High schools, see School
Eighv.-ay, see Transportation
Homestead rights, petitions for,
197, 207
Housing, care, and accessibility
of records, 69-75
Housing orojects. establishment of,
135
Hughes, John, 13, 15, 24, 25
Hull, P. K., 24
Illinois Commerce Comrriission,
appeals from, to circuit
court, 156
Illinois River, _9
Illinois, State of, 20, 22, 23
early history, _11, 12
finances, early crises in, 16_, r?
Illinois State Archives Building, 58
Illinois State Historical Library,
58
Illinois State University Librarv,
58
Illinois Territory, _5
first settlement in, _9
Indians in, 8_
Spanish claims in, 8
Illinois, University of, 8_
Incorporation
See also Corooration
of villages, petitions.
Index
birth, 51
156
Index (continued)
chattel mortgage, 100
circuit court
files, 198
records, 200
county court
files, 115
records, 116
death, 52
deeds, 87
to estates, 150
grantor-grantee, 87
guardians' , 163
to judge's probate docket, 190
marriage, 60
mortgagor-mortgagee, 87
to old a^e assistance files, 334
plain tiff -defendant
circuit court, 200
co'jnty co\irt, 116
probate judgment docket, 192
to records required to be kept,
121 , 145 '
stillbirth, 51
supervisors' files, 1
teachers' permanent record, 298
Indiana, 1
Indiana Territory, 3^
Indians in Piatt region, _8
Indictments
no-true bill files, 241
original, 119, 205, 207, 209
record, 211
Indigent persons, see Poor
Inheritance tax
record, 151
register, 280
returns, 82, 145
Inj-onction
bills for, 197, 205, 207
bonds, 2-2
Inauest
files, 258
procedure, 45, 45n , 172
records, 173 , 3€0
Insanity
See also Conservator
docket, 130
fees, 193, 195
jurisdiction in, 131
papers, 82, 117, 122
record, 123, 167
Institute fund
account, 5, 289
Subject Index
- 252 -
(Ins-Juv)
Institute fund (continued)
manaeiement of, 189
record, 277
Instructions to ju.ry, see Jury
Instrument'-, r.jquired to be kept,
48, 121, 123
Insurance on county property
accounts of, 5
policies, 21
record, 22
Intention, doclaraticn of, see
naturalization
Inventories of estates, 157, 160,
162, 165, 171, 173-175
Investigation reports
in adoption cases, 82[ii]
in delinquent and dependent cases,
82, 117, 140
in mothers' pension cases, 142
old age assistance, 333, 335
Jail , county
Si;e also Prisoners
construction, 21, 22
custody, 51_, 169
reports on conditions of, 237
superintendent, appointment, 169
Jefferson, Thomas, 1^
Johnson, Jonathan C, 25, 2£
Jolliet, Louis, 9
Journal
See also Lodger
school superintendent's, 289
Judges
of courts, see under name of
specific court
of election, sec Election
Jud^^ent
by confession, 124, 212
dockets
circuit court, 220, 221
co^onty court, 131, 132
probate court, 186, 191
index (191 ), 192
and execution dockets, 131, 220
record of claims, probate, 154
sale, redemption and forfeiture
record, 42
tajc, record, 42, 43
Judicial circuits, 40,
Judicial sviitem in county, 39-42
Jurors, see Jury
207,
209
Jury
certificates
cancelled, 12, 82[xvi]
register, 8
coroner's, 172
verdicts, 45, 259
venires, 259
grand
files, 241
reports on jail, 237
venires, 239
instructions to, 119, 205,
lists
county board, 26
county court, 62[xxi]
keot by co'jnty clerk, ^
petit, venires, 239
records, keepinf^ of, 160
venires, 239, 259
verdicts, 207, 209, 359
warrants
ledger, 5
stubs, 13, 240
Justice
administration of, 39-46
of the peace
appeals, 40, 42, 205
appointment, 2, 39_
bonds, 63, 77
keeping of, 105
complaints before, 207, 209
co-ionty judf;e as, 41_
courts, early proceedings, 3
dockets, 135, 224
as early administrative officer
34, 90
election of, population require-
ments, 41
jurisdiction of, 40, 41_
probate, 40, 43, 143
reports to court, 137
summons, 205
transcripts, 212, 213
Supreme Court, required to hold
circuit court, 39, 40 , 155
Juvenile
See also Adoption; kinors; Pension,
mother's
delinquency aind dependency
jurisdiction in, 131
fund, account, 271
records, 141, 151
probation officer, see Probation
Subject Index
253
(Kas-Map)
Kaskaskia, 9
Kaskaskia River, 5
Kickapoo Indians, 8, 10
Kinc, Joseph, 15, T6,~T7
Knott, Ananias B,, 28
Knox County (Territorial), 3
Labrador, 5
Lake Fork, 5
drainaf;e 'district
assessment rolls, 31
claims allowed, 7
files, 323, 324
orders
cancelled, 17
register, 10
records, 325, 326, 328
Lake Michigan, 6
Land
See also Real estate
entry book, 86
grants, recorded, 89, 90
patent, 83, 89, 93
federal, 82 [xx]
school, sale of
legislation concerninfr, 46
use of funds from, 46_, 188"
s'wamp, see Swamp
taxes on, see xax
Langdon, Seth C, 27
La Salle, de, Robert" Cavalier,
Sieur, 9
La Salle County, £, 210 ~
Leases
drainage district, 322
gas and oil, 90, 101
recorded, 89, 90
Ledger
See also Journal
circuit court clerk's, 24 9
county home, 32 9
estate, 182
treasurer's, appropriation, 272
Letters of appointment in probate
see under title of appointee
Levee, see Drainage; Swamp land
Levy
certificates of, sheriff's, 102
tax, sec Tax
Liberty Tovmship, 27
name changed, 28
License
See also Certificate
License (continued)
dance hall, applications, B2[vii]
dog, fund
account, 271
claims against, 284
ferry, issuing of, 105
hunting, applications, 82[viii]
liquor, applications, 82 [v]
marriage, 56
applications for, 53, 57
issuing of, 104
power to grant, 92
professional, see~ under name of
profession
tavern, issuing of, 105
Liens
See also Mortgage
Toc1oeT7 223
on gets, 223
mechanic's, 197, 207
Lincoln, Abraham, _n, 12_, 17_, 29, 30
Lincoln-Douglas debates, picture of~
marker coirinem.orating spot
vjiiere decision was made
to hold, see Cover
Liquor license applicaTions, 82 [v]
Livestock
brands, 74
e stray
papers, 82[xix]
record, 73
stallion certificates, 110
renewals. 111
Lodge, W. F,, 71_
Lots, see Land; Real estate
Louisiana, 9
Lowell, James Russell, 11
Lovn-y, John, 19, 69
Lunacy, see Insanity
McLean County, 3, 25
McMillan, ThomaF, 28_
Jfecon County, 3_, 4_, 12_, 13, !£, 23_
2^, 32_, 210
McReynolds, James, 15, 16
life d den, John, 13
^.'•addon's Run, 4~
riadiscn County" 3
I'ia ine ,9 ~
tfeps
See also Plats
Atwood street improvements, 310
drainage districts, 324, 329
Subject Index
- ^54 -
(Map-Nat)
Maps (continued)
recordation of, 49, 121
Marks and br?jids, 74
Marquette, Father Jacqu.es, 9
Marquis, Abraham , 13, 15, 18
Marquio, Ezra Sr., P7, 29
Marria/re, see Vital statistics
Maxtino, Zenobel, 25, 26
I5aster-in-chancery
certificates
purchase, 89, 90
redemx.tion, 103
sale, 103
deeds, 89, 93
docket, 219
receipts, 234, 235
reports
of foreclosures, 234, 235
of sales, 90, 238
Mechanic's lien files, 197, 207
Melisa, John, 27
MexicrvJi Tfar, 31
Michigan, 10
Middle town, 25
Militia
Se£ also Soldiers
roll, 82[vxiii]
Minors
See also C-uardian; Jm'enile
applications for raai*ria<;e
licenses, 57
naturalization of, 201, 248
Minutes
See also Froceedin^s
boaxd of review, 265
comity board, 3
Mississippi River, 9_, 10, 11;
Mississippi Valley, 6, 9
Missouri, 22
Mitchell, Royal, 27
Mittimus writs, 119, 259
Monticello, 6. 10. 14, 16, 17, 19,
20, 25, 27, 29, 30
32. 69, 70, 71
assessments for local inprove-
laents, 35
coxxnty seat pro tern, 15
naming of, 1^
Township, 27
Moore, Caleb D. , 27, 23
Moraon Church in Illinois, polit-
ical aspirations of, 12
Mortga^-e
See also Conveyances; Liens
Mortgage (continued)
assigrjnent, 89, 90
chattel
index, 100
record, 89, 99
recording of, 121
releases, 88
uncalled for, 38
entry book, 85
extensions, affidavits for, 89, 90
real estate
a^ssignnents of, 96, 97
index, 87
record, 89, 96, 97
releases, 39, 98
Kortga^^or-nortgagee index, 87
Mosgrove, John, 27
Mosquito abatement districts, organ-
ization of, 53
Mothers' pension, see Pension
MothersT)aw, William, 28
Motions for new trial, 197, 207
Motor fuel tax fund
allotment record, 5, 23, 283, 313
highv/ay superintendent's reports
of, to state auditor, 317
request for, 307
warrsjits
cancelled, 12
list rf, 82[xxiv]
register, 3, 9
Moultrie County. 5, 5
I'.ount Vernon (Ohio) , 11
Naturalization
certificates (final papers)
circuit court, 201, 246-243
county court, 82[xxv], 146-149
declaration of int<5ntion
circuit court, 201, 246
county court, 82[xxv], 146
docket, 225
jurisdiction over, 39, 41, 42
minors', 146, 143, 149, 201, 248
oaths
circuit court, 201, 246-248
county court, 82[xxv], 146-149
papers, 197, 207
petitions
circuit court, 201, 248
county court, 82[xxv], 146-149
records required to be kept,
136, 160
soldiers', 146, 149
Subject Index
- 255
(Nau-Par)
¥.SiV.voo (Hancock Coianty), 12
Hegroes in co'onty, _31
ITev; Engl am d, 23
Mew Orleans, _9
Nominations, see Election
iJon-high school, see School
Northern Cross Railroad and Trans-
portation Company, 32
Korth'-.'est Territory, 3
i'Jotary puljlic
"bonds and coFjnissions, 63_
records, kept "by co'onty clerk,
105
2^otices of letting draiuag'.^
contracts, 323
jjlurr.e, county, see County nurse
Oath
citizenship, see Ns,turalization
of county officers, see
Officers, county
entered ty county clerk, 105
kept hy circuit clerk, 158
of protate appointees, _s_ee under
title of appointee
Oh.jections to taxes, see Tax
Officers
coujity
accounts, examination of,
appointments, 3
honds, 3, 82Lxiii], 168
examination record, 78,
fund accounts, 271
register of, 63
reports, 2, 3, 24
salaries, 2
drainage district, see Drainage
probation, see Probation
stipulations regarding their
duelling activities, 25
to'^nship
lists, 82LxxiiJ
register, 65
Offices, county, location and
description of, 7 9- 82
Officials, see Officers
Ohio, 10
Ohio Piver, 9, 10
Oil leases, 90, 101
OkavT, 1^, 17
Old age assistance
See also Pension; Public t^elfare;
Relief
QA
138
Old age assistance (continued)
administration of, 54, 204
application, register, 335
files, 533, 355
index (335), 334
investigation reports, 333, 335
"Old River bridge", 29
Old Settlers Association, 1£
Optometry register, 70
Orders
county
See also Vouchers; ^iFarrants
cancelled, 2, 12
drainage district, 17
register of
county clerk's, 8
keeping of, _95, 106
drainage district, 10
treasurer's, 275
stubs, 15
court
See also Decree
chancery, 201, 203
common law, 117, 201
criminal, 119, 201, 207, 209,
210
in delinquency and dependency
car.es, 82, 117, 140
in drslna.ge proceedings, 321,
324
for execution of judgment,
201, 208
in insanity cases, 82, 117,
122, 167
in justice of peace cases, 213
probate
appointment, 172, 173
for sale of property, 170, 181
Organization
drainage districts, 52, 320
petitions, 125
high school districts, 294
mosquito abatement districts, 53
Osteopaths' register, 54
Ottavja (La Salle County), 210
Oullery, I'icholas, 1_8
Outten, Jajnes, F. , 15, 18, 24, 25, 6!
Overseer of the poor, see Poor
Paris, treaty of, _9
Parole
See also Probation
application record, 245
Subject Index
« 256 -
(Par-Pla)
Partition
decrees in, 204
master's reports of, 90, 238
Partnership, dissolution of, 197,
207
Patents
inventions, 71
land, 82Crjc], 83, 89, 93
Patterson, .acorge A., 14, 15, 16, 17
Pauper, s6£ Poor; Relief
Pease, Theodore C, T^^
Peck, Enoch, 18
early county commissioner, 15
Pension
See also Old age assistance; Public
welfare; Relief
blind
claims, 82[xii]
fund, 54
certificates, 206
mothers'
See also Juvenile
applications, 2, 82, 132 , 142,
143
claims, 19, 82
fund
account, 271
appropriations, 5
source, 133
papers, 142
probation officer, see Probation
record, 141, 144
warrajits
c?jncelled, 12
stubs, 13
teachers', record, 291, 296
people's cases, seo Crindnal under
Circuit court. County court
Permits, risht-of-waj', 89, 90
Personol property
assessments of, see Tax
estates, see Estate
sale of, see Sale
taxes, see Tax
Petit jui'y, see Jury
Petitions
for adoption, 82[ii]
for appointments. in probate, see
under title of appointee
for citizenship, see Naturalization
to county board of supervisors,
* 82[xxvii]
to county court, 117
in delinquency and dependency cases
82,
117, 140
Petitions (continued)
for dower and homestead rights,
197, 207
in drainage proceedings, 52, 199
for incorporation of villages,
156
in justice of peace cases, 212,
213
for mothers' pension, 82, 143
for organization
of drainage districts, 125
of mosnuito abatement districts,
53
of school districts, 294
for sale of tqdI estate, 170, 177,
173
for writ of habeas corpus, 241
Phillips, Henry, 25
Phillips, Joseph, 25
Physiciiuis
certificates, 55
contracts, 2
licenses, 65
register, 64
Piatt, Jamos A., 10
county named for, 13
Piatt, John A., 15, 17
Piatt, William H., 18
Piatt County
agriculture, see Industries below
area, 4
boundaries, 3_, 4
census records, 61, 62
civilization, early, 8
climate, 6, 7.
courthouses used, 19-21
creation, 13~15
early settlers, 10, 11.
education, see School below
elections
for chojige in government, 24, Z7_
first in county, 13
farms, see Agriculture under
Industries below
ferries, see Industries below
finances
bond issues
election for, 21
for railroad construction, 32
Civil War affects, 30, 31
earlj' condition of, 14
early crisis, 17_
early tax rates, 18
railroad financing, election for,
32
Subject Index
- 257 -
(Pia-Ple)
Piatt County
finances (continued)
taxation
Civil War affects, 31^
of farm lands, 32
government
changes in, 22_-24, 26_, 27_
early business transacted,
16-18_
first election for, 13
first session, 14
governmental organTzation, 33-56
Indian occupation, 8
indigent, care of, see Public
'welfare below
industries
agriculture
farm
acreage, 31, 32
implements aid, 12
number and value of, 32
importance of, 8, 31
ferry
license, issuing of, 29, 105
rates, early, 29
tavern
rates, 29
sale of"Tiquor in, opposition
to, 28_
trade, licensing of, 29
jail, construction of, 21, 22
location, 3
military activities, 30, 31
naming of, 10, 13
natural resources, 8
organization of, 12-15
petition for, 127" 13"
as part of other counties, 3, 12
physical characteristics, 4
plats, 112 ~
politics, see Election above
population, 26, 31
public welfare
early administration of, 25
overseer of the poor, appoint-
ment, 17
railroads, see TransportaTion
below; also under name of
specific railroad
region, foreign domination of, 8, 9
rivers in, 4, 5
roads, see Transportation below
Piatt County (continued)
schools
commissioner
early business transacted, 17, 18
first appointed, 14
trustees, first app'oTnted, 18
seat of justice, 13, 14
legislation concerning, 15
naming of, 15
population, 15
soil, 5, 6
tavern keeping, see Industries
above
taxation, see Finances above
Teachers' Association, constitu-
tion and by-laws, 300
timber, 7
tovmship""
formation, 27
government adopted, 26, 27
names, 27
changing of, 28
trade, see Industries above
transportation
ferry rates, early, 29
highways, mileage, 3~
railroads
construction of, 32
financing, electi'on for, 32
road
districts first established,
16
maintenance, early method, 16
petitions for and objections
to, 25
viewers, appointment, 17, ^
wild game in, 7, 8
Plaintiff -de fendant~index
circuit court, 200
keeping of, 159
county court, 116
keeping of, 135
Plans
drainage district, 320, 321
road and bridge, 309
Plats
See also Ifeps
of government surveys, 113
Piatt County, 112
recording of, 49
of school distrTcts, 47
Pleas, common law, 117
Subject Index
- 258 -
(?oe-Pub)
Poe, Sdgar Allen, 11
Police ma?-istrates
bonds, 63
reports to court, 137
Poll books, see Election
Poor
See also County farmj County home;
Public welfare; Relief
care of, 35, 92, 94
claims, appropriations for, 3
overseer of, appointment, 92
Poorhouse, county empowered to bui?.d,
92
Power of attorney, 89, 90
Praecipe for execution, 207, 209
Prairie Du Hocher, 9
Primary elections, see Election
Prisoners, county
See also Jail
discharge of, see Parole;
Probation
early method of keeping, 22
receipts for, 242
register, 254
keeping of, 170
Probate
accounts, 157, 150, 162, 165
182, 186
appeals to circuit court, 155
court
See also Administrator; Conser-
vator; Estate; Executor;
3-uardiaJi; Wills
clerk
county clerk, ex-officio,
43, 145
duties, 145
records kept by, 150-196
dockets
estate, 187
judge's, 188, 189
index (189), 190
judgment, 183, 191
index (191), 192
establishment, ^, 143
fee books (court costs),
193-196
files, 157, ISO, 152, 165
index to, 150, 163
journal, 151, 152
judge
appointment, 40
county judge, ex-officio, 130
records kept by, legislation
concerning, 56
Probate
court (continued)
jurisdiction and functions of,
145 - 145
record, 151
judgment on claims against
estates, 154
required to be kept, 145
jurisdiction
in circuit court, 130
in county commissioners' court,
41
in county court, 41, 130
justices of the peace, 40, 43, 143
Probation
See also Parole
docket, 225 '
files, 119
officers
adult
apDointraent, bond and com-
pensation, 157
duties and powers, 132 , 157
juvenile
appointment and comnensation,
131
functions, 131, 132
mothers' pension
appointment, 132
duties and powers, 132 , 135
reports, 142
oaths, 82Cxxvi]
Proceedings
See also Minutes
county board, 3
of courts
See also Records under name of
specific court
required to be kept, 135 , 145
159
of drainage commissioners, 125
justice of the peace, 3
Process docket, sheriff's, 252
Proof
of heirship, 157, 160, 162, 165
of will, 157, 160, 162
Public Health, State Department of,
powers of, 48, 51-54
i03, 104, 211
Public welfare
See also County farm; Coionty home;
Feeble-minded; Juvenile;
Pension; Poor; Belief
administration of, 54
- 259 -
Subject Index
(Pub-Re 1)
Public -vTOlfare (continued)
comjTiission, succeeded by depart-
ment of public welfare, 203
county department of
establishment and composition,
203
function, 203, 204
office, 80
records kept by, 533-336
old are assistance, see
Old age
relation to state welfare
department, 205
county superintendent of
appointed by county board, 205
duties and povrcrs, 54, 203'
state department, relatTori of, to
Gountjr department, 205
succeeds county cojmnission of
public welfare, 205
Public Works and Buildings, Depart-
ment of, suooeeding State
Highway Department, 50
Ripils
examination record, 301
health records, 341, 342
lists of, 293
Parchaso certificates, 32[iii3
recorded, 89, 90
for swamp lands, issued by
drainage cori\missioners, 51
Quitclaim deeds, 88, 89, 91
Railroad
See also Transportation under
Piatt County
taxes, see Tax
Real estate
See air. Land
assessment of, see Tax
deeds, see Deeds
estates, see Estate
mortgages, see Mortgage
sales, certificates of, 88
taxes on, see Tax
transfers, 89, 90
Rebor, James, 13, 15
Receipts
for prisoners, 242
tax, see Tax
witness fees, 209, 232
Receipts and expenditures
See also Cash; Fees; Fund
Receipts and expenditures (continued)
circuit clerk's, 249
county home, 340
drainage districts, 287
school
district, account record, 289,
290
superintendent's, 288
treasurer's, record, 271
Receiver
bonds, 242
fees, 234, 255
vouchers, 234
Recognizance
bonds, 82[xxjciii], 118, 120, 139,
242
records, circuit court, 245
Recorder
appointed by Governor, 48, 120
bond, 120
circuit clerk, ex-officio, 48, 120
duties and pov/ers of, 49
election, 48, 120
fee register, 85, 114
office
establishment, 48, 120
term, 120
population reiuiramen-ts, 49, 120
records kept by, 85-114
roster, 65
Records
housing, care, and accessibility
of, 69-75_
legislation concerning, 55, 56, 53
Redemption
certificates
master's, 89, 90, 105
sheriff's, 102
lists, 82[xxxv]
Registrars of births and deaths,
see Town clerk
Release, mortgage, 88
Relief
See also County farm; County home;
Feeble-minded; Insanity;
Juvenile; Old age assist-
ance; Pension; Poor;
Public welfare
blind, appropriations, 5
emergency, resolutions, 2
pauper, appropriations, 3
unemployment, see Emergency above
work, see Emergency above
Relinquishment, widows', see Widow
- 260 -
Subject Index
(Rep-Sch)
Replevin bonds, 197, 207, 242
Reporters, court, apiDOintiaent of,
156
RepubliCiin Party, 29, 30
Resolutions
county board, 2
drainage, 322, 323, 325, 330
Review, board of
clerk
appointment, 37, 180
county clerk, ex-officio, 37
complaint docket, 266
duties axid powers, 37, 79, 180
establishment and composition,
37, 179
members, appointment, 37, 180
record, 255
Revolutionary War, £
Ricketts, John, 16, 19, 69, 69n
Riglit of way, see Road \mder
Transportation
Riverton (Sangamon County), 210
Road, see Transportation
Rocky Mountains, 5
Royer, J. W. , 71 ~
Ryder, Clyde H., 71
Sac £ind Fox Indians, £
St. Clair County, 3 "
St. John's Sanitajrium, 210
St. Hiilips, 9
Salaries of county officers, 2
Sale
bills, 160, 162
recording of, 121
certificates of
master's, 103
sheriff's, 90, 104
of personal property, 173, 179
of real estate
bonds for, 169, 180
certificates for, 88
decrees for, 170
petitions for, 170, 177, 178,
181
reports, 170, 181
of school lands
legislation concerning, 46
use of funds from, 46, 188
of swamp lands, use of funds
from, 51
tax, sec Delinquent under Tax
SangGjnon, 16, 17
Township, 27
Sangojnon County, 210
Sangamon River, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 25
ferry established at, 29
Sanitarliim, co\inty tuberculosis
board of directors
duties and functions, 210
establishment, 209
terra of office, 209
fund
account, 271
tax levy for, 209
management, 2C9
reports to county board, 210
Schedules, tax, see Tax
School
bond issues, register, 239, 290
buildings, inspection of, 43, 51
commissioner
as agent for sale of school
lands, 45, 188
appointment, 183
creation of office, 46
duties auad po'.vers, 138
election, 47, 188
ex-officio superintendent of
schools, 47, 188
reports to covin ty commissioners'
court, 188
roster of, 67
term of office, 183
county superintendent
annupj. reports, 302
creation of office, 47, 188
duties and nowers, 47, 48, 51
188, 189
election, 47, 47n , 188
journal, 289
office
location, 80
term, 188
receipts and expenditures, 288
records
of examinations, 294
kept by, 288-304
legislation concerning, 56
reports
to county board, 3, 25, 48, 302
to state, 48, 183
trustees', to, 303
roster, 67
school commissioner, early
ero-officio, 47, 188
districts
boundary chsinges, petitions for,
81
- 251 ,
Su.'bject Index
(Sch-Sta)
School
districts (continued)
esta.tlishment, legislation
concerning, 46
high, organization, 294
plats, 47
receipts and dishursements
record, 289, 290
esMiinations, see Pupils; Teacher
f-'ond
appropriations, 3
institute
account, 289
appropriations, 5
management, 1S9
record, 277
management, 4G
non-high, record, 278
record of receipts and dis-
hursements from, 288
high, districts, organization of,
294
Lands
control of, 92
sale of
legislation concerning, 46_
use of fijnds iron, _46, 1_88
non-high
"board, proceedings, 293
fund, record, 278
state aid for, 292
state's inspection of, 48, 51_
supervision, 45-48, 51 , 188
tax, see Tax
tee.chers, see Teacher
treasurer (toWiship) , "bonds,
90, 105, 304
Selection, v.'idovs', see Widov
Separate maintenance "bills, 197
Settlenent, tax, _s_ee Tax
Shairneetovm, 17
Sheep daa£,ges, claims for, 284
Shel"by Covuity, _5
Sheriff
"bonds, 63, 82LxxxiiiJ, 88, 169
cash "book, 257
certificates
of levy, 102
of redemption, 102
of sale, 90, 104
custodicin of courthouse and jail,
51 , 159
deeds, 89, 90, 95
Sheriff (continued)
deputy, appointment and
compensation, 43, 169
dockets
execution, 252, 253
process, 252
duties and powers of, 43, 45, 169,
170
election, 43
executions of judgment served Dy,
201, 208
ex-officio, county collector, £?
fees, 121, 193, 199, 252, 253, 255
register, 255,256
office, location, _81_
records kept "by, 252-257
register, 255, 256
roster, 54
term of office, 169
Shields, James, 17
Soldiers
See also 'iviilitia
discharge records, recording of,
^ 121
enlistment records. Civil Tar,
72, 108
naturalisation, 146, 149
service record, 107
Spanish-American ^ar, 31_
Spanish domination of Illinois
country, _8
Special assessments, see Assess-
ments under Tax
Special elections, see Election
Springfield, _10, 14
Stages, William, _18
Stallion certificates, 110
renewal of. 111
Starved Rock, _9
State aid
fund, see Fund
for roads, v/arrants, 82[xxxiv]
for schools, claims, 292
State auditor, highway superin-
tendent's reports to, 317
State Bank of Illinois, 17
State Board of Health, see State
Department of Pu"blic Health
State Department of Pu"blic Health,
jurisdiction, 48, 51- 54,
103 . 104, 1&8, 2n
State Department of Public vJelfare,
203
Subject Index
(Sta-Tax)
State Highway Department succeodcd
by Dopartmont of Public
lYorks and Buildings, 50
State Housinc Board, 135
State Superintendent of Comnon
Schools, sc-o_ State
Suporintcnc'ont of
Pviblic Inctruction
State Superintendent of i\iblio
Instruction
po\ver of, in supervision of
schools, 51_
school superintendent 'r. reports
to, 48, 18£_
State Tax Corrj-ii senior, 103
State Univercity Library, 53
State's attorney
appointment and election, 44 ,
174
bonds, 53, 174
compensation, 174
duties and powers, 44, 174, 175
fees, 193
reports of, ,33o, 235, 236
fines
record, 251
reports, 137, 233, 255, 235
office location, 31
record, 251
reports, 137, 170, 233, 235, 236
roster, 65, 66
Stewart, Daniel, 13^
Stillbirths, see Vital statistics
Stock transfers (bank), H3, 90
Street improvements, naps of, 31C
Strickle, Daniel, 13
Sntpeonas, county court, iiV, 119
Summonses
circuit court, 205
coi\nty court, 119
Superintendent
county home, see County home
of hishwaj's, county, see Highway
ur.de r Tran.wortation
of public v/elfare, couiitj; see
Public welfare
of pichools, county, see School
Supervisors
of assor.snentp (County assessor)
bonds, 178
books (lists of taxable
(property), 27
Supervisors
of assessments (continued)
duties and pov/ers of, 36, -7, 177
records kept by, 262-264
treasurer, ex-officio, 37, 177
county board of, see County board
road, sec Road
to"m\ship
bonds, 168
reports, 2, 82[xxxii]
Supremo Court
judges, election for, 156
justices required to hold circuit
court, 39.* ^> 155
Surveyor, county
appointment and election, 49, 198
bonds, 63
duties and powers of, 49, 51, 193
establishment of office, 198
oaths, 198
record, 319
kept by, 56, 198
reports, 2
roster, 68
term of office, 198
Surveys
rovernment, plats, 113
plats of, 112
Swr.mp lands
£ee also Drainage
legislation concorning, 51
record, 332
reports on condition of, o2[xxx]
sale, use of funds from, 51
Sv/imming pools, control of, 53
Sv;ords, S. L., 21, 22_
Tavern
control of, 52
licenses, 2
issuing of, 105
Tax
abatement record, 270
assessments
abstract of, 28
real estate (lands and lots), 103
special
drainage
districts, 324
record, 327
lists, 30, 32, 324
records, 326, 331
rolls, 31
- 265 -
Subject Index
(Tax- Tow)
Tax
assessments
special (continued)
for local improvements, 33-36
assessor's books (lists of tax-
able property), 27
collections
accounts, 267
procedure, 105
collector's
accounts, 267
books (lists of taxable
property), 38
credits, applications for,
82[ix]
settlement record, 268
complaints
docket, 266
method of handling, 102, 179 .
TM
record, 265
deeds
affidavits, 46, 82[iii]
sheriff's, 89, 90, 95
delinquent
credits, application for,
82[ix]
drainage, 328
forfeiture record, 42, 45
judgment, 42, 43
sale, redemption and forfei-
ture record, 42
list, 40, 82[xxxv]
redemption and forfeiture
list, 82[xxxv]
sale, redemption and forfei-
ture record, 42, 44
equalization, 265, 266
extension, 28
inheritance, see Inheritance
levies
drainage, 322, 324, 326, 331
certificates, 323
for road and bridge fund, 82,
263
special, 82[xxxv]
lists, 41
road and bridges, 82, 263
motor fuel, see Motor fuel
objections, 40, 82[xxxvl
power to impose and regulate,
92
public health, 52
Tax (continued)
railroad
books (lists of taxable property),
29
schedules, 82[xxxv], 263
receipts, collector's, 269
road, lists, 82[x>acv]
schedules
corporation, 82[xviii]
personal property, 262
railroad, 82[xxxv], 263
real estate, 262
telegraph and telephone, 264
school, valuation, 28
settlement, 82[xxxv], 268
summary of, 28
telegraph and telephone book (lists
of taxable property), 29
valuation record, 28
Taxation procedure, 102 , 103
Tazewell County, 8
Teachers "~
applications, 295
Association, constitution and
by-laws, 300
certificates, applications for,
295
record, 299
examination record, 294
pension record, 291, 296
permanent record, 297
index to, 298
service record, 296
Telegraph and telephone tax book,
see Tax
Tennessee, 10
Testimonios'Tn justice of peace
cases, 213
"The Old Fort", see Devore Hotel
Thoreau, Henry David, 12
Tinbrook, John P., 13,"T8
early treasurer, T5
Title abstracts, 88
Toledo (Ohio), 72
Totraan, C. A., Building, 71
Town
board, power of, to revise
assessments, 37
clerk, as local registrar
accounts, 84
duties and functions, 53, 54
ToiTOiship
assessors, see Assessor
Subject Index
- 264 -
(Tow-Tre)
TovT-ship (continued)
collectors, see Collector
forn&.tion, 61
funds, see Fund
officers, see Officers
plan of government, 34, 61, 90
suporvis'^rs
assistants, 91_
duties, 29
tern of office, 90
treasurers, see Treasurer
Transcripts
estate, 89, 90
of evidence
circuit court, 197, ;»7
county court, 117
justice of the peace, 212, 213,
241
required to be kept, 136 ,
160
Transfer
of bank stock, 89, 90
of real estate, 89, 90
Trail sportation
See also Trauisporta,tion under
Piatt County
bridge
appropriations, 35, 93, 94
authority over, 49, 92, 94,
193, 194
construction and maintenance
bud£;et, 308
fund, tax levies for, 82, 263
plans, 309
canals, authority over, 92
ferry licenses, issuing of, 105
highwey
corjir.issioners
board, establishment, 50
duties, 50, 193
as ex-officio drainage
commissioners, 51^
election, 193
contracts for construction, 311
county superintendent of
appointed ov countj^ board,
50, 193
cash book, 306
compensation, 50, 194
correspondence, 318
duties oJid powers, 50, 194
fund record, 305
office
creation, 50, 193
Trajisportation
highway (continued)
county superintendent of
office (continued)
location, 72
term, 50, 194
records kept by, 194 , 305-318
reports to auditor, 317
time reports, 312
fund
appropriations, 5
claims against, 314, 315
register, 271, 282
overseer, 50, 193
purchase ordovs, 316
state supervision of, 50, 195 ,
194
railroad, sec Tmisport.ation
under Piatt County
road
appropriations, 93, 94
authority over, 50, 92, 94, 195,
194
construction and maintenance
budget, 308
districts
establishment, 49, 193
cuporvisora, appointment,
49, 193
fund
account, 271
appropriations, 3
tax lovies for, 82, 263
petitions to esto-blish, SaCxx'/ii]
plans, 309
right-of-way permits, 89, 90
taz, sec Tax
town, record, 4
Treasurer
county
accounts
with county clerk, 39
with county funds, 271
appf. > i ntmcn t , 36
aTjpropriation lodger, 272
bonds, 63, 89, 90, 184
cash book, 274
duties 'Old powers of, 36, 184
election, 184
es-officio
county collector, 38, 181
supervisor of assessments, 37
fees paid to, register, 286
office, location, 79, 80
- 265 -
Subject Index
(Tre-
-'ar ,
Treasurer
coxinty (continued)
records kept ty, 184 , 271-287
roster, _65, 57
settlement with collector, 268
tern of office, 184
drainage district
coionty treasurer, e:-:-of f icio,
184
receipts and dis"bv.rsenents
records, 287
township (school), "bonds, 90,
106, 304
Treat, Judge Samuel H., 15
Trenkle Slough drainage district
files, 329
record, 330, 331
special assessment list, 50
Truancy, see Juvenile; Probation
True tills, see Indictment
Trust
deeds, 88, 89, 92
fuxid record, 279
Trustees
in chancery cases, appointment of,
204
of ;3states, reporter, 90, 238
school
appointment, 46 , 47n
duties, 46, 47
election, 47
reports, 46
to school superintendent, 303
supervision of education, 45
Tuherculosis sanitarium, _see_
Sanitexium
Tyler, John, 12
Vital statistics
"births
See also Accounts
Crsrtificates, 48, 82[xi]
index, 51
record, 49
register, 50
reporting of, 53, 103, 104
deaths
See also Accounts
certificates, 53
index, 52
register, 55
reporting of, 53, 103, 104
marriage
licenses, 56
applications, 57
recording of, _53, _54
record, 59
index to, 60
register, 58
registration procedure, 105 , 104
stillhirth
certificates, 48
recorc", 49
register, 50
index to , 51
"Votes, see Election
"Vouchers
See also Orders, cononty; Warrants
receivers', 234, 235
".'alter, H. B., 20, 72
T7n,rd, C. R. , 24
Warrants
See also Orders, county; ""/ouchers
appraisers
.. I
173
"Unemployment relief, see Emergency
under Relief
Unity To vm ship, 28
University of Chicago, _8
University of Illinois, 8_, 208
"Valuation of property, see Tax
"Van Buren, Martin, 12
"Van Horn Iron T7orks Cora-ocziy, 72
Vsjifleet, Dr., 25
"Venires, see Jury
"Vermilion Co'onty, 32_
'/eterans, see Soldiers
Veterinarians' certificate register,
67
Villages, netitions for incornoration
of. 156
for arrest, 207, 209
"birth report, 8
s tu"b s , 16
for commitment of insane, 82, 117,
death report, 11, 84
stu'bs, 15
highv;ay
cancelled, 12
register of, 8, 9, 275, 281
issued against county funds, 5
J^ry, 5
stu'bs, 13, 240
motor fuel tax, 12
register, 8, 9
pension, mothers', 12
stu'cs, 13
stat3 aid road, cancelled, 82Lxxxiv]
Subject Index
- 266 -
(Vfer-Wri)
'tVarrnnty deeds, 88, 89, 94
Yfelsh, Thonas, 18_
Vfent, John, 16
V.'estorn Gas pTxture Company, 72
;^aig Party, 11_' H.
Widov/s
relinquishnent, 170, 176
selection, 157, 160, 162, 176
7/ild Cat Croek, 4
Vifiley, Addison I., 18
7/illis, J. D., 18
"TillOT/ Br^rch, 4_
Towishin, 28_
Y/ills, Jefferscn D., 17_
mils
See also Adninistrator : Estate :
Executor; Probate court
annexed, see Adrr.inistrator
bills to set aside, 197, 207 •
proof of, 157, 160, 162
record, 156
Yfinstead, John, 25
•A'isconsin, 10
Tfitness
affidavits, 119, 207, 209
fees, 5
orders issued against,
register, 8
receipts, 209^ 232
register, 285
foreign, claims for, 209, 232
'.Volf Run, 4
y/ork relieT, see Emergency under
Relief
".York Projects Adr.ini strati on, 21
Vi'orkl-iouse, county empo^vered to
build, .51
■"/Torks Progress Administration, 72
World Vfer, 31
Wright, V;ilTiar.i, 18
;Vrits
of evidence, 117
of execution, 117, 119
habeas corpus, 207, 209, 259
petitions for, 241
mittLiius, 119, 259
ki A rtr r»\/ ••liicrtiErt./n* r. r^ir t^r%t% tr rr rttif A r rt
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